Notices. Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS); notice of scoping meetings; request for comments

37,376 words·~170 min read·/register/2006/03/28/06-3019

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 3410-11-M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration (A-588-852, A-580-841, C-580-842) Revocation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders: Structural Steel Beams From Japan and South Korea AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: On May 2, 2005, the Department of Commerce (“the Department”) initiated its sunset reviews of the antidumping duty (“AD”) orders on structural steel beams (“beams”) from Japan and South Korea (“Korea”), and the countervailing duty (“CVD”) order on beams from Korea. *See Initiation of Five-year (“Sunset”) Reviews* , 70 FR 22632 (May 2, 2005).

Pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”), the International Trade Commission (“the ITC”), in its sunset reviews, determined that revocation of the AD orders on beams from Japan and Korea and the CVD order on beams from Korea would not be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. *See Structural Steel Beams from Japan and Korea* , 71 FR 13431 (March 15, 2006).

Therefore, pursuant to section 751(d)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.222(i)(1)(iii), the Department is revoking the AD orders on beams from Japan and Korea and the CVD order on beams from Korea. EFFECTIVE DATE: June 19, 2005 - Japan; August 14, 2005 - Korea (CVD); August 18, 2005 - Korea (AD). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert James or Dana Mermelstein (AD orders), Tipten Troidl or Brandon Farlander (CVD order), AD/CVD Operations, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S.

Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone:

(202)482-0649,

(202)482-1391,

(202)482 - 1767 or

(202)482-0182, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Scope of the Orders The products covered by these orders are doubly-symmetric shapes, whether hot-or cold-rolled, drawn, extruded, formed or finished, having at least one dimension of at least 80 mm (3.2 inches or more), whether of carbon or alloy (other than stainless) steel, and whether or not drilled, punched, notched, painted, coated, or clad. These products include, but are not limited to, wide-flange beams (W shapes), bearing piles (HP shapes), standard beams (S or I shapes), and M-shapes. All products that meet the physical and metallurgical descriptions provided above are within the scope of these orders unless otherwise excluded. The following products are outside and/or specifically excluded from the scope of these orders: Structural steel beams greater than 400 pounds per linear foot or with a web or section height (also known as depth) over 40 inches. The products subject to these orders are currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) at subheadings: 7216.32.0000, 7216.33.0030, 7216.33.0060, 7216.33.0090, 7216.50.0000, 7216.61.0000, 7216.69.0000, 7216.91.0000, 1 7216.99.0000, 2 7228.70.3040, 3 7228.70.6000. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise in these orders is dispositive. 1 HTSUS subheading 7216.91.0000 was no longer in use as of 2004, and was replaced by 7216.91.0010 and 7216.91.0090 in that year. 2 HTSUS subheading 7216.99.0000 was no longer in use as of 2004, and was replaced by 7216.99.0010 and 7216.99.0090 in that year. 3 HTSUS subheading 7228.70.3040 was no longer in use as of 2005. What was previously covered by that number is covered within 7228.70.3010 and 7228.70.3041 starting in 2005. Background On June 19, August 18, and August 14, 2000, the Department issued the AD orders on beams from Japan and Korea and the CVD order on beams from Korea, respectively. *See Structural Steel Beams from Japan: Notice of Antidumping Duty Order* , 65 FR 37960 (June 19, 2000), *Structural Steel Beams From South Korea: Notice of Antidumping Duty Order* , 65 FR 50502 (August 18, 2000), and *Notice of Countervailing Duty Order: Structural Steel Beams from the Republic of Korea* , 65 FR 49542 (August 14, 2000). On May 2, 2005, the Department initiated, and the ITC instituted, sunset reviews of the AD and CVD orders on beams from Japan and Korea. *See Initiation of Five-year (“Sunset”) Reviews* , 70 FR 22632 (May 2, 2005). As a result of its CVD sunset review, the Department found that revocation of the CVD order would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of a countervailable subsidy, and notified the ITC of the level of subsidy likely to prevail were the order to be revoked. *See Final Results of Expedited Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order: Structural Steel Beams from South Korea* , 70 FR 53167 (September 7, 2005). As a result of its AD sunset reviews, the Department found that revocation of the AD orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping, and notified the ITC of the magnitude of the margin likely to prevail were the orders to be revoked. *See Structural Steel Beams from Japan and South Korea; Final Results of Expedited Sunset Reviews of Antidumping Duty Orders* , 70 FR 53633 (September 9, 2005). On March 15, 2006, the ITC determined, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act, that revocation of the AD orders on beams from Japan and Korea, and the CVD order on beams from Korea would not be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. *See Structural Steel Beams from Japan and Korea* , 71 FR 13431 (March 15, 2006) and USITC Publication 3840 (March 2006), entitled *Structural Steel Beams from Japan and Korea* (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-401 and 731-TA-853-854 (Review)). Determination As a result of the determination by the ITC that revocation of these AD and CVD orders is not likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States, the Department, pursuant to section 751(d) of the Act, is revoking the AD orders on beams from Japan and Korea and the CVD order on beams from Korea. Pursuant to section 751(d)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.222(i)(2)(i), the effective date of revocation is June 19, 2005, August 18, 2005, and August 14, 2005 ( *i.e.* , the fifth anniversary of the date of publication in the **Federal Register** of the notices of the AD order on Japan, the AD order on Korea, and the CVD order on Korea, respectively). The Department will notify U.S. Customs and Border Protection to discontinue suspension of liquidation and collection of cash deposits on entries of the subject merchandise entered or withdrawn from warehouse on or after June 19, 2005, August 18, 2005, and August 14, 2005, the effective dates of revocation of the AD orders and the CVD order. The Department will complete any pending administrative reviews of these orders and will conduct administrative reviews of subject merchandise entered prior to the effective date of revocation in response to appropriately filed requests for review. These five-year sunset reviews and notice are in accordance with section 751(d)(2) and published pursuant to section 777(i)(1) of the Act. Dated: March 22, 2006 Stephen J. Claeys. Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6-4481 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A-570-893] Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From the People's Republic of China (“PRC”): Extension of Time Limit for Preliminary Results of 2004/2005 New Shipper Review AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. EFFECTIVE DATE: March 28, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alex Villanueva or Javier Barrientos; AD/CVD Operations, Office 9, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone:

(202)482-3208 and

(202)482-2243, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On February 1, 2005, the Department of Commerce (“the Department”) published in the **Federal Register** an antidumping duty order covering certain frozen warmwater shrimp from the People's Republic of China (“PRC”). *See Notice of Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Antidumping Duty Order: Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From the People's Republic of China* , 70 FR 5149 (February 1, 2005). The Department received a timely request from Zhanjiang Regal Integrated Marine Resources Co., Ltd. (“Regal”), in accordance with 19 CFR 351.214(c), for a new shipper review of the antidumping duty order on certain frozen warmwater shrimp from the PRC, which has a February annual anniversary month and an August semi-annual anniversary month. On September 30, 2005, the Department initiated a review with respect to Regal. *See Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of New Shipper Review* , 70 FR 58679 (October 7, 2005). The Department has issued its antidumping duty questionnaire and supplemental questionnaires to Regal. The deadline for completion of the preliminary results is currently March 29, 2006. Extension of Time Limits for Preliminary Results Section 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”), and 19 CFR 351.214(i)(1) require the Department to issue the preliminary results of a new shipper review within 180 days after the date on which the new shipper review was initiated and final results of a review within 90 days after the date on which the preliminary results were issued. The Department may, however, extend the deadline for completion of the preliminary results of a new shipper review to 300 days if it determines that the case is extraordinarily complicated. See 19 CFR 351.214(i)(2). Pursuant to section 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.214(i)(2), the Department determines that this review is extraordinarily complicated. Specifically, the Department requires additional time to analyze all questionnaire responses and to conduct verification of the responses submitted, as well as to examine whether Regal's U.S. sale was made on a bona fide basis. Additionally, there are complicated issues surrounding the Department's calculation of normal value, particularly with respect to the valuation of shrimp farming inputs. Based on the timing and complexity of the case, the preliminary results of this new shipper review cannot be completed within the statutory time limit of 180 days. Accordingly, the Department is extending the time limit for the completion of the preliminary results by 90 days to June 27, 2006, in accordance with section 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.214(i)(2). The final results, in turn, will be due 90 days after the date of issuance of the preliminary results, unless extended. We are issuing and publishing this notice in accordance with sections 751(a)(1), 751(a)(2)(B), and 777(i)(1) of the Act. Dated: March 22, 2006. Stephen J. Claeys, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6-4483 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration (A-475-811, A-588-831, C-475-812) Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel From Italy and Japan: Final Results of Sunset Reviews and Revocation of Orders AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: On February 1, 2006, the Department of Commerce (“the Department”) initiated the sunset reviews of the antidumping duty (“AD”) orders on grain-oriented electrical steel (“GOES”) from Italy and Japan and of the countervailing duty (“CVD”) order on GOES from Italy. ( *See* 70 FR 5243). Because the domestic interested parties did not participate in these sunset reviews, the Department is revoking these AD and CVD orders. EFFECTIVE DATE: March 14, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darla Brown or Brandon Farlander, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone:

(202)482-2849 or

(202)482-0182, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On June 7, June 10, and August 12, 1994, respectively, the Department issued the CVD order on GOES from Italy (59 FR 29414) and the AD orders on GOES from Japan (59 FR 29984) and Italy (59 FR 41431). On December 1, 1999, the Department initiated sunset reviews on these orders and later published its notice of continuation of the AD and CVD orders. *See Continuation of Antidumping Duty Orders and Countervailing Duty Order: Grain-Oriented Silicon Electrical Steel From Italy and Japan* , 66 FR 14889 (March 14, 2001) (“ *GOES Continuation* ”). On February 1, 2006, the Department initiated the second sunset reviews of these orders. We did not receive a notice of intent to participate from domestic interested parties in any of these sunset reviews by the deadline dates. *See* 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(iii)(A). As a result, the Department determined that no domestic interested party intends to participate in these sunset reviews, and on February 21, 2006, we notified the International Trade Commission, in writing, that we intended to issue final determinations revoking these AD and CVD orders. *See* 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(iii)(B)(2). Scope of the Orders The merchandise subject to these orders includes GOES, which is a flat-rolled alloy steel product containing by weight at least 0.6 percent of silicon, not more than 0.08 percent of carbon, not more than 1.0 percent of aluminum, and no other element in an amount that would give the steel the characteristics of another alloy steel, of a thickness of no more than 0.56 millimeters, in coils of any width, or in straight lengths which are of a width measuring at least 10 times the thickness. The products covered by these orders are provided for under the following item numbers of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”): 7225.10.0030, 7226.10.1030, 7226.10.5015, and 7226.10.5065. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of these orders is dispositive. Determination to Revoke Pursuant to section 751(c)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”) and 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(iii)(B)(3), if no domestic interested party files a notice of intent to participate, the Department shall, within 90 days after the initiation of the review, issue a final determination revoking the order. Because the domestic interested parties did not file a notice of intent to participate in these sunset reviews, the Department finds that no domestic interested party is participating in these sunset reviews. Therefore, consistent with 19 CFR 351.222(i)(2)(i) and section 751(c)(6)(A)(iii) of the Act, we are revoking these AD and CVD orders effective March 14, 2006, the fifth anniversary of the date the Department published the continuation of the AD and CVD orders. ( *See GOES Continuation* .) Effective Date of Revocation Pursuant to sections 751(c)(3)(A) and 751(c)(6)(A)(iii) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.222(i)(2)(i), the Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to terminate the suspension of liquidation of the merchandise subject to these orders entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, on or after March 14, 2006. Entries of subject merchandise prior to the effective date of revocation will continue to be subject to suspension of liquidation and AD and CVD deposit requirements. The Department will complete any pending administrative reviews of these orders and will conduct administrative reviews of subject merchandise entered prior to the effective date of revocation in response to appropriately filed requests for review. These five-year (sunset) reviews and notice are issued and published in accordance with sections 751(c) and 777(i)(1) of the Act. Dated: March 22, 2006. Stephen J. Claeys, Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6-4477 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration (A-549-820) Notice of Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand From Thailand AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: On February 24, 2006, the Department of Commerce (the Department) published a notice in the **Federal Register** announcing the initiation of an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on prestressed concrete steel wire strand from Thailand, covering the period January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2005. *See Notice of Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, Thailand: Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand* , 71 FR 9519 (February 24, 2006). The review covers Siam Industrial Wire Co. Ltd. (SIW). We are now rescinding this review as a result of SIW's timely withdrawal of its request for an administrative review. EFFECTIVE DATE: March 28, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Constance Handley or Shane Subler at

(202)482-0631 or

(202)482-0189, respectively; AD/CVD Operations, Office 1, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(b)(2), on January 31, 2006, SIW requested an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on prestressed concrete steel wire strand from Thailand. On February 24, 2006, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(c)(1)(i), we initiated the administrative review of this order for the period January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2005 (71 FR 9519). SIW withdrew its request for an administrative review on March 7, 2006. Rescission of Administrative Review The Department's regulations at 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1) provide that the Department will rescind an administrative review if a party that requested a review withdraws the request within 90 days of the publication date of the notice of initiation of the requested review. SIW, the only interested party to request a review, withdrew its request for an administrative review within the 90-day period. Therefore, the Department is rescinding this administrative review. The Department will issue appropriate instructions directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This notice is issued and published in accordance with section 751 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and 19 CFR 351.213(d)(4). Dated: March 22, 2006. Stephen J. Claeys, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6-4486 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Quarterly Update to Annual Listing of Foreign Government Subsidies on Articles of Cheese Subject to an In-Quota Rate of Duty AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. EFFECTIVE DATE: March 28, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tipten Troidl or Eric Greynolds, AD/CVD Operations, Office 3, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20230, telephone:

(202)482-1767 or 6071, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 702 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (as amended) (“the Act”) requires the Department of Commerce (“the Department”) to determine, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, whether any foreign government is providing a subsidy with respect to any article of cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty, as defined in section 702(h) of the Act, and to publish an annual list and quarterly updates of the type and amount of those subsidies. We hereby provide the Department's quarterly update of subsidies on articles of cheese that were imported during the period October 1, 2005, through December 31, 2005. The Department has developed, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, information on subsidies (as defined in section 702(h) of the Act) being provided either directly or indirectly by foreign governments on articles of cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty. The appendix to this notice lists the country, the subsidy program or programs, and the gross and net amounts of each subsidy for which information is currently available. The Department will incorporate additional programs which are found to constitute subsidies, and additional information on the subsidy programs listed, as the information is developed. The Department encourages any person having information on foreign government subsidy programs which benefit articles of cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty to submit such information in writing to the Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. This determination and notice are in accordance with section 702(a) of the Act. Dated: March 22, 2006. Stephen J. Claeys, Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. APPENDIX SUBSIDY PROGRAMS ON CHEESE SUBJECT TO AN IN-QUOTA RATE OF DUTY 1 Country Program(s) Gross 2 Subsidy ($/lb) Net 3 Subsidy ($/lb) Austria European Union Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Belgium EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Canada Export Assistance on Certain Types of Cheese $ 0.30 $ 0.30 Cyprus* EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Denmark EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Finland EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 France EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Germany EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Greece EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Hungary* EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Ireland EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Italy EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Lithuania* EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Luxembourg EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Netherlands EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Norway Indirect

(Milk)Subsidy $ 0.00 $ 0.00 *Consumer Subsidy* *$ 0.00* *$ 0.00* Total $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Poland* EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Portugal EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Slovenia* EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Spain EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Switzerland Deficiency Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 U.K. EU Restitution Payments $ 0.00 $ 0.00 * This notice has been modified to reflect the enlargement of the European Union

(EU)to 25 countries on May 1, 2004. See Modification of the Tariff -Rate Import Quota for Certain Cheeses, 69 FR 77308 (December 27, 2004). 1 This chart includes only those countries which exported articles of cheese to the United States during 4th Quarter, 2005. 2 Defined in 19 U.S.C. 1677(5). 3 Defined in 19 U.S.C. 1677(6). [FR Doc. E6-4480 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [C-357-813] Honey from Argentina: Notice of Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: On February 1, 2006, in response to a timely request from the American Honey Producers Association and the Sioux Honey Association (Petitioner), the Department of Commerce (the Department) initiated an administrative review of the countervailing duty order on honey from Argentina. *See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Request for Revocation in Part* , 71 FR 5241 (February 1, 2006) ( *Initiation Notice* ). This administrative review covered the period January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005. We are now rescinding this review as a result of Petitioner's withdrawal of its requests for an administrative review of this order. EFFECTIVE DATE: March 28, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dara Iserson or Elfi Blum, AD/CVD Operations, Office 6, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 7866, Washington, DC 20230; telephone:

(202)482-4052 and

(202)482-0197, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On December 1, 2005, the Department published a notice of “Opportunity to Request Administrative Review” of the countervailing duty order for the period of January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005. *See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Oder, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity to Request Administrative Review* , 70 FR 72109 (December 1, 2005). On December 30, 2005, Petitioner requested a review of the countervailing duty order on honey from Argentina. In response to this request, on February 1, 2006, the Department initiated a countervailing duty administrative review on honey from Argentina. *See Initiation Notice* . On March 6, 2006, pursuant to section 351.213(d)(1) of the Department's regulations, Petitioner withdrew its request for an administrative review of the countervailing duty order on honey from Argentina. No other party requested an administrative review of this countervailing duty order. Rescission of the Administrative Review Pursuant to section 351.213(d)(1) of the Department's regulations, the Secretary will rescind an administrative review, in whole or in part, if a party that requested the review withdraws the request within 90 days of the date of publication of notice of initiation of the requested review. The initiation notice for this review was published on February 1, 2006. We received Petitioner's withdrawal request on March 6, 2006, within 90 days after publication of the initiation notice. Since Petitioner withdrew its request for review of the countervailing duty order in a timely manner, and since it was the only party that requested a review, the Department is rescinding this administrative review. The Department will issue appropriate assessment instructions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection within 15 days of publication of this notice. Administrative Protective Orders This notice serves as a reminder to parties subject to administrative protective order

(APO)of their responsibility concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with section 351.305(a)(3) of the Department's regulation. Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation. This notice is issued and published in accordance with section 777(i) of the Act and section 351.213(d)(4) of the Department's regulations. Dated: March 22, 2006. Stephen J. Claeys, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6-4484 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration (C-357-815) Notice of Intent to Rescind Countervailing Duty Administrative Review: Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products from India AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: On February 1, 2006, the Department of Commerce (the Department) initiated an administrative review of the countervailing duty order on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products

(HRC)from India, covering the period January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2005, and one manufacturer/exporter of the subject merchandise, Essar Steel Limited (Essar). *See Notice of Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Request for Revocation in Part* , 71 FR 5241 (February 1, 2006). The Department has preliminarily determined that the review should be rescinded due to Essar's lack of entries of subject merchandise during the period of review (POR). EFFECTIVE DATE: March 28, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Preeti Tolani, AD/CVD Operations, Office 3, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 202-482-0395. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On December 3, 2001, the Department published in the **Federal Register** the countervailing duty order on HRC from India. *See Notice of Amended Final Determination and Notice of Countervailing Duty Orders: Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products from India and Indonesia* , 66 FR 60198 (December 3, 2001). On December 1, 2005, the Department published a notice of opportunity to request an administrative review of the countervailing duty order. *See Notice of Opportunity to Request Administrative Review of Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation* , 70 FR 72109 (December 1, 2005). In response to a request from United States Steel Corporation, petitioner, the Department initiated an administrative review of the countervailing duty order on HRC from India with respect to Essar. On February 16, 2006, Essar requested that the Department rescind the administrative review with respect to Essar, asserting that they had made no shipments of subject merchandise to the United States during the POR. *See* letter from Arent Fox PLLC, on behalf of Essar, dated February 16, 2006, on file in the Central Records Unit (CRU). Scope of Order The merchandise subject to this order is certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products of a rectangular shape, of a width of 0.5 inch or greater, neither clad, plated, nor coated with metal and whether or not painted, varnished, or coated with plastics or other non-metallic substances, in coils (whether or not in successively superimposed layers), regardless of thickness, and in straight lengths, of a thickness of less than 4.75 mm and of a width measuring at least 10 times the thickness. Universal mill plate ( *i.e.* , flat-rolled products rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass, of a width exceeding 150 mm, but not exceeding 1250 mm, and of a thickness of not less than 4 mm, not in coils and without patterns in relief) of a thickness not less than 4.0 mm is not included within the scope of this order. Specifically included in the scope of this order are vacuum-degassed, fully stabilized (commonly referred to as interstitial-free (IF)) steels, high-strength low-alloy

(HSLA)steels, and the substrate for motor lamination steels. IF steels are recognized as low-carbon steels with micro-alloying levels of elements such as titanium or niobium (also commonly referred to as columbium), or both, added to stabilize carbon and nitrogen elements. HSLA steels are recognized as steels with micro-alloying levels of elements such as chromium, copper, niobium, vanadium, and molybdenum. The substrate for motor lamination steels contains micro-alloying levels of elements such as silicon and aluminum. Steel products included in the scope of this order, regardless of definitions in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), are products in which: i) iron predominates, by weight, over each of the other contained elements; ii) the carbon content is 2 percent or less, by weight; and iii) none of the elements listed below exceeds the quantity, by weight, respectively indicated: 1.80 percent of manganese, or 2.25 percent of silicon, or 1.00 percent of copper, or 0.50 percent of aluminum, or 1.25 percent of chromium, or 0.30 percent of cobalt, or 0.40 percent of lead, or 1.25 percent of nickel, or 0.30 percent of tungsten, or 0.10 percent of molybdenum, or 0.10 percent of niobium, or 0.15 percent of vanadium, or 0.15 percent of zirconium. All products that meet the physical and chemical description provided above are within the scope of this order unless otherwise excluded. The following products, by way of example, are outside or specifically excluded from the scope of this order: • Alloy hot-rolled steel products in which at least one of the chemical elements exceeds those listed above (including, *e.g.* , ASTM specifications A543, A387, A514, A517, A506). • SAE/AISI grades of series 2300 and higher. • Ball bearings steels, as defined in the HTSUS. • Tool steels, as defined in the HTSUS. • Silico-manganese (as defined in the HTSUS) or silicon electrical steel with a silicon level exceeding 2.25 percent. • ASTM specifications A710 and A736. • USS Abrasion-resistant steels (USS AR 400, USS AR 500). • All products (proprietary or otherwise) based on an alloy ASTM specification (sample specifications: ASTM A506, A507). • Non-rectangular shapes, not in coils, which are the result of having been processed by cutting or stamping and which have assumed the character of articles or products classified outside chapter 72 of the HTSUS. The merchandise subject to this order is currently classifiable in the HTSUS at subheadings: 7208.10.15.00, 7208.10.30.00, 7208.10.60.00, 7208.25.30.00, 7208.25.60.00, 7208.26.00.30, 7208.26.00.60, 7208.27.00.30, 7208.27.00.60, 7208.36.00.30, 7208.36.00.60, 7208.37.00.30, 7208.37.00.60, 7208.38.00.15, 7208.38.00.30, 7208.38.00.90, 7208.39.00.15, 7208.39.00.30, 7208.39.00.90, 7208.40.60.30, 7208.40.60.60, 7208.53.00.00, 7208.54.00.00, 7208.90.00.00, 7211.14.00.90, 7211.19.15.00, 7211.19.20.00, 7211.19.30.00, 7211.19.45.00, 7211.19.60.00, 7211.19.75.30, 7211.19.75.60, and 7211.19.75.90. Certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel covered by this order, including: vacuum-degassed fully stabilized; high-strength low-alloy; and the substrate for motor lamination steel may also enter under the following tariff numbers: 7225.11.00.00, 7225.19.00.00, 7225.30.30.50, 7225.30.70.00, 7225.40.70.00, 7225.99.00.90, 7226.11.10.00, 7226.11.90.30, 7226.11.90.60, 7226.19.10.00, 7226.19.90.00, 7226.91.50.00, 7226.91.70.00, 7226.91.80.00, and 7226.99.00.00. Subject merchandise may also enter under 7210.70.30.00, 7210.90.90.00, 7211.14.00.30, 7212.40.10.00, 7212.40.50.00, and 7212.50.00.00. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the Department's written description of the merchandise subject to this order is dispositive. Intent to Rescind Administrative Review In its February 16, 2006, request that the Department rescind the review, Essar asserted that it had made no shipments of subject merchandise during the POR. The petitioner did not comment on Essar's claim of no shipments. On February 27, 2006, the Department conducted a Customs query to ascertain whether there were any entries of the subject merchandise from Essar during the POR; the query showed that there were none. *See* Memorandum to the File from the Team regarding Customs Query dated March 15, 2006, the public version of which is on file in the CRU. Thus, the Department was able to confirm that Essar had no entries of subject merchandise during the POR. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3), the Department may rescind an administrative review if the Secretary concludes that during the POR, there were no entries, exports, or sales of the subject merchandise, as the case may be. *See Certain Hot-Rolled Lead and Bismuth Carbon Steel Products From Germany: Notice of Termination of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review* , 64 FR 44489 (August 16, 1999), and *Final Results and Partial Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review: Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip From the Republic of Korea* , 68 FR 13267 (March 19, 2003). Therefore, because Essar had no entries of subject merchandise during the POR, consistent with the regulation and our practice, we preliminarily determine to rescind this review. Public Comment Interested parties may submit case briefs no later than 30 days after the date of publication of this preliminary notice. *See* 19 CFR 351.309(c)(ii). Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in such briefs, may be filed no later than five days after the time limit for filing the case brief. *See* 19 CFR 351.309(d). Parties who submit arguments are requested to submit with the argument

(1)A statement of the issue,

(2)a brief summary of the argument, and

(3)a table of authorities. Further, parties submitting written comments should provide the Department with an additional copy of the public version of any such comments on diskette. An interested party may request a hearing within 30 days of publication of this preliminary notice. *See* 19 CFR 351.310(c). Any hearing, if requested, will be held 44 days after the date of publication, or the first working day thereafter. The Department will issue the final notice, which will include the results of its analysis of issues raised in any such comments, or at a hearing, if requested, within 120 days of publication of this preliminary notice. This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and 19 CFR 351.213(d). Dated: March 22, 2006. Stephen J. Claeys, Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6-4478 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [C-475-823] Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Italy: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Changed Circumstances Review and Revocation of Countervailing Duty Order, in Whole AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is revoking the countervailing duty order on stainless steel plate in coils from Italy because we have concluded that substantially all domestic producers lack interest in the relief provided by this order. EFFECTIVE DATE: March 28, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Farlander or Audrey R. Twyman, AD/CVD Operations, Office 1, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone

(202)482-0182 and

(202)482-3534, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On May 11, 1999, the Department of Commerce (the “Department”) published a countervailing duty (“CVD”) order on stainless steel plate in coils (“SSPC”) from Italy. *See Notice of Amended Final Determinations: Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Belgium and South Africa; and Notice of Countervailing Duty Orders: Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Belgium, Italy and South Africa* , 64 FR 25288 (May 11, 1999). The order was amended on March 11, 2003. *See Notice of Amended Countervailing Duty Orders; Certain Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Belgium, Italy, and South Africa* , 68 FR 11524 (March 11, 2003). The amended order was corrected on April 24, 2003. *See Certain Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Belgium, Italy, and South Africa; Notice of Correction to the Amended Countervailing Duty Orders* , 68 FR 20115 (April 24, 2003). On December 2, 2005, the Department received a request from Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel Corporation, two of the petitioners in the original investigation, that the Department initiate a changed circumstances review for purposes of revoking the CVD order. Specifically, Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel Corporation requested that the CVD order be revoked *ab initio* and that the Department fully refund any countervailing duties deposited pursuant to the order on unliquidated entries. Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel Corporation state that they are no longer interested in maintaining the CVD order or in the imposition of countervailing duties on the subject merchandise. On January 4, 2006, the Department published a notice of initiation of a changed circumstances review of the CVD order on SSPC from Italy. *See Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Italy: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Changed Circumstances Review and Notice of Consideration of Revocation of Order* , 71 FR 328 (January 4, 2006) (“ *Initiation Notice* ”). In the *Initiation Notice* , we indicated interested parties could submit comments. No comments were received. On February 14, 2006, the Department preliminarily revoked the order effective September 4, 1998. *See Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Italy: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Changed Circumstances Review and Intent to Revoke Order* , 71 FR 7736 (February 14, 2006) (“ *Preliminary Results* ”). In the *Preliminary Results* , we again afforded interested parties an opportunity to submit comments. We did not receive any comments following the publication of the *Preliminary Results* . Scope of the Order The product covered by this order is certain stainless steel plate in coils. Stainless steel is an alloy steel containing, by weight, 1.2 percent or less of carbon and 10.5 percent or more of chromium, with or without other elements. The subject plate products are flat-rolled products, 254 mm or over in width and 4.75 mm or more in thickness, in coils, and annealed or otherwise heat treated and pickled or otherwise descaled. The subject plate may also be further processed (e.g., cold-rolled, polished, etc.) provided that it maintains the specified dimensions of plate following such processing. Excluded from the scope of this order are the following:

(1)Plate not in coils,

(2)plate that is not annealed or otherwise heat treated and pickled or otherwise descaled,

(3)sheet and strip, and

(4)flat bars. The merchandise subject to this order is currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) at subheadings: 7219.11.00.30, 7219.11.00.60, 7219.12.00.06, 7219.12.00.21, 7219.12.00.26, 7219.12.00.51, 7219.12.00.56, 7219.12.00.66, 7219.12.00.71, 7219.12.00.81, 7219.31.00.10, 7219.90.00.10, 7219.90.00.20, 7219.90.00.25, 7219.90.00.60, 7219.90.00.80, 7220.11.00.00, 7220.20.10.10, 7220.20.10.15, 7220.20.10.60, 7220.20.10.80, 7220.20.60.05, 7220.20.60.10, 7220.20.60.15, 7220.20.60.60, 7220.20.60.80, 7220.90.00.10, 7220.90.00.15, 7220.90.00.60, and 7220.90.00.80. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise subject to this order is dispositive. Final Results of Review and Revocation of the Countervailing Duty Order, in Whole Pursuant to section 751(d)(1) of the 1930 Tariff Act, as amended (the “Act”), and 19 CFR 351.222(g), the Department may revoke an antidumping or CVD order, in whole or in part, based on a review under section 751(b) of the Act ( *i.e.* , a changed circumstances review). Section 751(b)(1) of the Act requires a changed circumstances review to be conducted upon receipt of a request that shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review. Section 782(h)(2) of the Act gives the Department the authority to revoke an order if producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product have expressed a lack of interest in the continuation of the order. Section 351.222(g) of the Department's regulations provides that the Department will conduct a changed circumstances administrative review under 19 CFR 351.216, and may revoke an order (in whole or in part), if it concludes that

(i)producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product to which the order pertains have expressed a lack of interest in the relief provided by the order, in whole or in part, or

(ii)other changed circumstances sufficient to warrant revocation exist. The Department has interpreted “substantially all” production normally to mean at least 85 percent of domestic production of the like product. *See Certain Tin Mill Products From Japan: Final Results of Changed Circumstances Review* , 66 FR 52109 (October 12, 2001). As noted above and in the *Preliminary Results* , Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel Corporation requested this changed circumstances review on the basis that they are no longer interested in maintaining the CVD order or in the imposition of CVD duties on the subject merchandise. Also, the parties to the litigation concerning these entries have agreed to withdraw their appeals. Because the Department did not receive any comments in response to the *Initiation Notice* or the *Preliminary Results* opposing this changed circumstances review or the preliminary decision to revoke, in whole, the CVD order effective September 4, 1998, we find that producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product to which this order pertains lack interest in the relief provided by the order. In accordance with sections 751(b), 751(d), and 782(h) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.216 and 351.222(g), the Department determines that there is a reasonable basis to find that changed circumstances exist sufficient to warrant revocation of the order. Therefore, the Department is revoking the order on SSPC from Italy, in whole, with regard to the products described above under the “Scope of the Order” section. Instructions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection In accordance with 19 CFR 351.222(g), upon dismissal by the court of all pending appeals involving the subject merchandise as described above under the “Scope of the Order” section, the Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) to liquidate without regard to countervailing duties, all unliquidated entries of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after September 4, 1998, *i.e.* , the publication date of the Department's *Preliminary Determination* in the underlying investigation. In accordance with section 778 of the Act, we will also instruct CBP to pay interest on any refunded CVD deposits with respect to the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after May 11, 1999, the date of publication in the **Federal Register** of the CVD order. Notification Regarding APOs This notice also serves as a reminder to parties subject to administrative protective orders

(APOs)of their responsibility concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.306. Timely written notification of the return/destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. *See* 19 CFR 351.305. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation. *See* 19 USC 1677f and 19 CFR Part 354. We are issuing and publishing this determination and notice in accordance with sections 751(b)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.216, 351.221, and 351.222. Dated: March 21, 2006. Stephen J. Claeys, Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6-4482 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration C-475-825 Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils from Italy: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Changed Circumstances Review and Revocation of Countervailing Duty Order, in Whole AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is revoking the countervailing duty order on stainless steel sheet and strip in coils from Italy because we have concluded that substantially all domestic producers lack interest in the relief provided by this order. EFFECTIVE DATE: March 28, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Farlander or Audrey R. Twyman, AD/CVD Operations, Office 1, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone

(202)482-0182 and

(202)482-3534, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On August 6, 1999, the Department of Commerce (the “Department”) published a countervailing duty (“CVD”) order on stainless steel sheet and strip in coils (“SSSS”) from Italy. *See Amended Final Determination: Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils from the Republic of Korea; and Notice of Countervailing Duty Orders: Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils from France, Italy, and the Republic of Korea* , 64 FR 42923 (August 6, 1999). On December 2, 2005, the Department received a request from Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel Corporation, two of the petitioners in the original investigation, that the Department initiate a changed circumstances review for purposes of revoking the CVD order. Specifically, Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel Corporation requested that the CVD order be revoked *ab initio* and that the Department fully refund any countervailing duties deposited pursuant to the order on unliquidated entries. Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel Corporation state that they are no longer interested in maintaining the CVD order or in the imposition of countervailing duties on the subject merchandise. On January 4, 2006, the Department published a notice of initiation of a changed circumstances review of the CVD order on SSSS from Italy. *See Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils from Italy: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Changed Circumstances Review and Notice of Consideration of Revocation of Order* , 71 FR 329 (January 4, 2006) (“ *Initiation Notice* ”). In the *Initiation Notice* , we indicated interested parties could submit comments. No comments were received. On February 14, 2006, the Department preliminarily revoked the order effective November 17, 1998. *See Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils from Italy: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Changed Circumstances Review and Intent to Revoke Order* , 71 FR 7737 (February 14, 2006) (“ *Preliminary Results* ”). In the *Preliminary Results* , we again afforded interested parties an opportunity to submit comments. We did not receive any comments following the publication of the *Preliminary Results* . Scope of the Order The products covered by this order are certain stainless steel sheet and strip in coils. Stainless steel is an alloy steel containing, by weight, 1.2 percent or less of carbon and 10.5 percent or more of chromium, with or without other elements. The subject sheet and strip is a flat-rolled product in coils that is greater than 9.5 mm in width and less than 4.75 mm in thickness, and that is annealed or otherwise heat treated and pickled or otherwise descaled. The subject sheet and strip may also be further processed ( *e.g.* , cold-rolled, polished, aluminized, coated, etc.) provided that it maintains the specific dimensions of sheet and strip following such processing. The merchandise subject to this order is currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) at the following subheadings: 7219.13.00.30, 7219.13.00.50, 7219.13.00.70, 7219.13.00.80, 7219.14.00.30, 7219.14.00.65, 7219.14.00.90, 7219.32.00.05, 7219.32.00.20, 7219.32.00.25, 7219.32.00.35, 7219.32.00.36, 7219.32.00.38, 7219.32.00.42, 7219.32.00.44, 7219.33.00.05, 7219.33.00.20, 7219.33.00.25, 7219.33.00.35, 7219.33.00.36, 7219.33.00.38, 7219.33.00.42, 7219.33.00.44, 7219.34.00.05, 7219.34.00.20, 7219.34.00.25, 7219.34.00.30, 7219.34.00.35, 7219.35.00.05, 7219.35.00.15, 7219.35.00.30, 7219.35.00.35, 7219.90.00.10, 7219.90.00.20, 7219.90.00.25, 7219.90.00.60, 7219.90.00.80, 7220.12.10.00, 7220.12.50.00, 7220.20.10.10, 7220.20.10.15, 7220.20.10.60, 7220.20.10.80, 7220.20.60.05, 7220.20.60.10, 7220.20.60.15, 7220.20.60.60, 7220.20.60.80, 7220.20.70.05, 7220.20.70.10, 7220.20.70.15, 7220.20.70.60, 7220.20.70.80, 7220.20.80.00, 7220.20.90.30, 7220.20.90.60, 7220.90.00.10, 7220.90.00.15, 7220.90.00.60, and 7220.90.00.80. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the Department's written description of the merchandise covered by this order is dispositive. Excluded from the scope of this order are the following:

(1)Sheet and strip that is not annealed or otherwise heat treated and pickled or otherwise descaled;

(2)sheet and strip that is cut to length;

(3)plate ( *i.e.* , flat-rolled stainless steel products of a thickness of 4.75 mm or more);

(4)flat wire ( *i.e.* , cold-rolled sections, with a prepared edge, rectangular in shape, of a width of not more than 9.5 mm); and

(5)razor blade steel. Razor blade steel is a flat-rolled product of stainless steel, not further worked than cold-rolled (cold-reduced), in coils, of a width of not more than 23 mm and a thickness of 0.266 mm or less, containing, by weight, 12.5 to 14.5 percent chromium, and certified at the time of entry to be used in the manufacture of razor blades. *See* Chapter 72 of the HTSUS, “Additional U.S. Note” 1(d). In response to comments by interested parties the Department has determined that certain specialty stainless steel products are also excluded from the scope of this order. These excluded products are described below: Flapper valve steel is defined as stainless steel strip in coils containing, by weight, between 0.37 and 0.43 percent carbon, between 1.15 and 1.35 percent molybdenum, and between 0.20 and 0.80 percent manganese. This steel also contains, by weight, phosphorus of 0.025 percent or less, silicon of between 0.20 and 0.50 percent, and sulfur of 0.020 percent or less. The product is manufactured by means of vacuum arc remelting, with inclusion controls for sulphide of no more than 0.04 percent and for oxide of no more than 0.05 percent. Flapper valve steel has a tensile strength of between 210 and 300 ksi, yield strength of between 170 and 270 ksi, plus or minus 8 ksi, and a hardness

(Hv)of between 460 and 590. Flapper valve steel is most commonly used to produce specialty flapper valves in compressors. Also excluded is a product referred to as suspension foil, a specialty steel product used in the manufacture of suspension assemblies for computer disk drives. Suspension foil is described as 302/304 grade or 202 grade stainless steel of a thickness between 14 and 127 microns, with a thickness tolerance of plus-or-minus 2.01 microns, and surface glossiness of 200 to 700 percent Gs. Suspension foil must be supplied in coil widths of not more than 407 mm and with a mass of 225 kg or less. Roll marks may only be visible on one side, with no scratches of measurable depth. The material must exhibit residual stresses of 2 mm maximum deflection and flatness of 1.6 mm over 685 mm length. Certain stainless steel foil for automotive catalytic converters is also excluded from the scope of this order. This stainless steel strip in coils is a specialty foil with a thickness of between 20 and 110 microns used to produce a metallic substrate with a honeycomb structure for use in automotive catalytic converters. The steel contains, by weight, carbon of no more than 0.030 percent, silicon of no more than 1.0 percent, manganese of no more than 1.0 percent, chromium of between 19 and 22 percent, aluminum of no less than 5.0 percent, phosphorus of no more than 0.045 percent, sulfur of no more than 0.03 percent, lanthanum of less than 0.002 or greater than 0.05 percent, and total rare earth elements of more than 0.06 percent, with the balance iron. Permanent magnet iron-chromium-cobalt alloy stainless strip is also excluded from the scope of this order. This ductile stainless steel strip contains, by weight, 26 to 30 percent chromium and 7 to 10 percent cobalt, with the remainder of iron, in widths 228.6 mm or less, and a thickness between 0.127 and 1.270 mm. It exhibits magnetic remanence between 9,000 and 12,000 gauss, and a coercivity of between 50 and 300 oersteds. This product is most commonly used in electronic sensors and is currently available under proprietary trade names such as “Arnokrome III.” 1 1 “Arnokrome III” is a trademark of the Arnold Engineering Company. Certain electrical resistance alloy steel is also excluded from the scope of this order. This product is defined as a non-magnetic stainless steel manufactured to American Society of Testing and Materials

(ASTM)specification B344 and containing, by weight, 36 percent nickel, 18 percent chromium, and 46 percent iron, and is most notable for its resistance to high-temperature corrosion. It has a melting point of 1390 degrees Celsius and displays a creep rupture limit of 4 kilograms per square millimeter at 1000 degrees Celsius. This steel is most commonly used in the production of heating ribbons for circuit breakers and industrial furnaces, and in rheostats for railway locomotives. The product is currently available under proprietary trade names such as “Gilphy 36.” 2 2 “Gilphy 36” is a trademark of Imphy, S.A. Certain martensitic precipitation-hardenable stainless steel is also excluded from the scope of this order. This high-strength, ductile stainless steel product is designated under the Unified Numbering System

(UNS)as S45500-grade steel, and contains, by weight, 11 to 13 percent chromium and 7 to 10 percent nickel. Carbon, manganese, silicon and molybdenum each comprise, by weight, 0.05 percent or less, with phosphorus and sulfur each comprising, by weight, 0.03 percent or less. This steel has copper, niobium, and titanium added to achieve aging and will exhibit yield strengths as high as 1700 Mpa and ultimate tensile strengths as high as 1750 Mpa after aging, with elongation percentages of 3 percent or less in 50 mm. It is generally provided in thicknesses between 0.635 and 0.787 mm, and in widths of 25.4 mm. This product is most commonly used in the manufacture of television tubes and is currently available under proprietary trade names such as “Durphynox 17.” 3 3 “Durphynox 17” is a trademark of Imphy, S.A. Finally, three specialty stainless steels typically used in certain industrial blades and surgical and medical instruments are also excluded from the scope of this order. These include stainless steel strip in coils used in the production of textile cutting tools ( *e.g.* , carpet knives). 4 This steel is similar to AISI grade 420 but containing, by weight, 0.5 to 0.7 percent of molybdenum. The steel also contains, by weight, carbon of between 1.0 and 1.1 percent, sulfur of 0.020 percent or less, and includes between 0.20 and 0.30 percent copper and between 0.20 and 0.50 percent cobalt. This steel is sold under proprietary names such as “GIN4 Mo.” The second excluded stainless steel strip in coils is similar to AISI 420-J2 and contains, by weight, carbon of between 0.62 and 0.70 percent, silicon of between 0.20 and 0.50 percent, manganese of between 0.45 and 0.80 percent, phosphorus of no more than 0.025 percent, and sulfur of no more than 0.020 percent. This steel has a carbide density on average of 100 carbide particles per 100 square microns. An example of this product is “GIN5” steel. The third specialty steel has a chemical composition similar to AISI 420 F, with carbon of between 0.37 and 0.43 percent, molybdenum of between 1.15 and 1.35 percent, but lower manganese of between 0.20 and 0.80 percent, phosphorus of no more than 0.025 percent, silicon of between 0.20 and 0.50 percent, and sulfur of no more than 0.020 percent. This product is supplied with a hardness of more than Hv 500 guaranteed after customer processing, and is supplied as, for example, “GIN6.” 5 4 This list of uses is illustrative and provided for descriptive purposes only. 5 “GIN4 Mo,” “GIN5” and “GIN6” are the proprietary grades of Hitachi Metals America, Ltd. Final Results of Review and Revocation of the Countervailing Duty Order, in Whole Pursuant to section 751(d)(1) of the 1930 Tariff Act, as amended (the “Act”), and 19 CFR 351.222(g), the Department may revoke an antidumping or CVD order, in whole or in part, based on a review under section 751(b) of the Act (i.e., a changed circumstances review). Section 751(b)(1) of the Act requires a changed circumstances review to be conducted upon receipt of a request that shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review. Section 782(h)(2) of the Act gives the Department the authority to revoke an order if producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product have expressed a lack of interest in the continuation of the order. Section 351.222(g) of the Department's regulations provides that the Department will conduct a changed circumstances administrative review under 19 CFR 351.216, and may revoke an order (in whole or in part), if it concludes that

(ii)other changed circumstances sufficient to warrant revocation exist. The Department has interpreted “substantially all” production normally to mean at least 85 percent of domestic production of the like product. *See Certain Tin Mill Products From Japan: Final Results of Changed Circumstances Review* , 66 FR 52109 (October 12, 2001). As noted above and in the *Preliminary Results* , Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel Corporation requested this changed circumstances review on the basis that they are no longer interested in maintaining the CVD order or in the imposition of CVD duties on the subject merchandise. Also, the parties to the litigation concerning these entries have agreed to withdraw their appeals. Because the Department did not receive any comments in response to the *Initiation Notice* or the *Preliminary Results* opposing this changed circumstances review or the preliminary decision to revoke, in whole, the CVD order effective November 17, 1998, we find that producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product to which this order pertains lack interest in the relief provided by the order. In accordance with sections 751(b), 751(d), and 782(h) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.216 and 351.222(g), the Department determines that there is a reasonable basis to find that changed circumstances exist sufficient to warrant revocation of the order. Therefore, the Department is revoking the CVD order on SSSS from Italy, in whole, with regard to the products described above under the “Scope of the Order” section. Instructions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection In accordance with 19 CFR 351.222(g), upon dismissal by the court of all pending appeals involving the subject merchandise as described above under the “Scope of the Order” section, the Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) to liquidate without regard to countervailing duties, all unliquidated entries of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after November 17, 1998, *i.e.* , the publication date of the Department's *Preliminary Determination* in the underlying investigation. In accordance with section 778 of the Act, we will also instruct CBP to pay interest on and refunded CVD deposits with respect to the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after August 6, 1999, the date of publication in the **Federal Register** of the CVD order. Notification Regarding APOs This notice also serves as a reminder to parties subject to administrative protective orders

(ETAC)will meet on May 24, 2006. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Main Commerce Building, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The Committee provides information on overseas requirements and regulations, works with U.S. companies to eliminate trade barriers, and promotes U.S. textile and apparel products overseas. Tentative Agenda: Review of export data, report on conditions in the export market; update on FTA's; export expansion activities; U.S. Customs and Border Protection's “Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism” Initiative, and other business. The meeting will be open to the public with a limited number of seats available. For further information call Rachel Anne Alarid at

(202)482-5154. March 23, 2006. Philip J. Martello, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel. [FR Doc. E6-4487 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 032106A] Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Scoping Process AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of intent

(NOI)to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS); notice of scoping meetings; request for comments. SUMMARY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) announces its intention to prepare, in cooperation with NMFS, an EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to assess potential effects on the human environment of alternative measures for managing the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Council intends to develop Amendment 15 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan

(FMP)to address several issues regarding the subject fisheries (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ). This notice announces a public process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to the management of summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The intended effect of this notice is to alert the interested public of the scoping process, the development of the Draft EIS, and to provide for public participation. DATES: Written comments on the intent to prepare an EIS must be received on or before 5 p.m., local time, on June 30, 2006. Public scoping meetings will be held in April and May 2006. For specific dates and times, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION . ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the intent to prepare the EIS or other relevant information by any of the following methods: • E-mail: *FSB-NOI@noaa.gov* . Include in the subject line the following identifier: “FSB Amendment 15 Scoping Comments.” • Mail: Daniel Furlong, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Room 2115, Federal Building, 300 South New Street, Dover, DE 19901-6790. Mark the outside of the envelope: “Comments on Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Amendment 15.” • Fax:

(302)674-5399. Copies of the scoping document may be obtained from the Council at the address above or via the Internet at *http://www.mafmc.org/mid-atlantic/comments/comments.htm* . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel T. Furlong,

(302)674-2331. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries are managed cooperatively by the Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission), in consultation with the New England and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. The management units specified in the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP include summer flounder ( *Paralichthys dentatus* ) in U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the southern border of North Carolina northward to the U.S./Canada border, and scup (Stenotomus chrysops) and black sea bass ( *Centropristis striata* ) in U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean from 35°15.3′ N. lat. (the latitude of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton, NC) northward to the U.S./Canada border. The issues identified by the Council for discussion in Amendment 15 to the FMP include (further information regarding each issue follows): • Modifications to the allocation of Total Allowable Landings

(TAL)to the commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder and scup; • Changes to the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass commercial allocations; Measures to reduce overcapacity in the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational and commercial fisheries; • Modifications to the biological reference points for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass; • Separate allocations of quota to the party/charter sector of the recreational fishery for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass; • Separate allocations of quota to the shore-based fishermen in the recreational fishery for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass; • Measures to reduce discarding and/or discard mortality of summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass in the recreational and commercial fisheries; • Modification to the reporting requirements for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass through the vessel trip reporting, dealer weighout, and observer programs; • Development of a conservation equivalency program for management of the recreational fishery for scup; • Changes to the current management program for the summer flounder recreational fishery; • Measures to allow the rollover of the unused portion of the TAL in the recreational and commercial fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass, into the next fishing year; and • Modifications to the limitations on vessel upgrades under moratorium permits for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. Summer Flounder Commercial/Recreational Allocation In 2003, NMFS received a petition that requested the current recreational/commercial allocation (which is 60 percent commercial and 40 percent recreational) be modified to provide 50 percent of the TAL to each sector. NMFS asked the Council and Commission to consider the petition. The Council considered this petition, recommended to NMFS that it be denied, and suggested that modifications to the summer flounder allocation could be considered in an amendment instead. Summer Flounder Commercial Allocation Currently, the commercial quota is allocated to each state based on historic landings from 1980 through 1989. State-by-state allocations were developed to allow each state the ability to develop specific management programs that were designed for the commercial fishery in their state. In recent years, fishermen from some states have expressed an interest in other options that could be used to allocate the quota, including an Individual Fishing Quota

(IFQ)program. Overcapacity in the Summer Flounder Commercial Fleet A moratorium on Federal commercial permits and the state-by-state quota system have served to constrain effort in the commercial summer flounder fishery. However, the harvesting capacity may exceed the optimum yield on an annual basis, resulting in regulatory discards, derby fisheries, and negative impacts on habitat and protected resources. Overcapacity in the Summer Flounder Recreational Fishery The harvesting capacity of the summer flounder recreational fishery may exceed the optimum yield on an annual basis, resulting in regulatory discards, derby fishing, and overcrowding of popular fishing areas. Summer Flounder Biological Reference Points The current biological reference points for summer flounder that define overfishing (F msy ) and an overfished ( 1/2 B msy ) condition are based on yield-per-recruit calculations. Updated biological reference points were reviewed and accepted in June 2005 by a Stock Assessment Review Committee. There has been some interest in a reexamination of the reference points based on other methodologies and the use of stock recruit data. Management of the Summer Flounder Party/Charter Fishery A portion of the TAL could be allocated to the party/charter sector each year. Currently, fishermen fishing from party/charter boats are regulated by state regulations that apply to all recreational fishermen. A separate allocation could allow for the development of regulations that apply only to party/charter fishermen. Management of the Summer Flounder Shore Fishery A portion of the TAL could be allocated to fishermen fishing for summer flounder from shore. Currently, fishermen fishing from the shore and shore-based structures (e.g., jetties and bridges) are regulated by state regulations that apply to all recreational fishermen. A separate allocation could allow for the development of regulations that apply only to shore-based fishermen. Management of the Summer Flounder Recreational Fishery The summer flounder recreational fishery is currently managed with a system that allows for the Council and Commission to decide if coastwide or state-by-state (conservation equivalency) regulations should apply each year. Recent action by the Council and Commission would also allow for states to voluntarily form subregions and develop identical regulations for the states in that subregion. Some fishermen have expressed an interest in exploring other management options for the summer flounder recreational fishery. Summer Flounder Discards The issue of regulatory discards in the commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder has been raised a number of times over the years. However, based on sea sample data, discard rates in the commercial fishery have been relatively low on a coastwide basis. Discard rates are higher for vessels that fish for other groundfish species in states with lower trip limits and for summer flounder caught by scallop dredges. In addition, 10 percent of the summer flounder caught and released by anglers are assumed to die in the recreational fishery. Scup Commercial/Recreational Allocation There have been recent discussions regarding the allocation of allowable catch to the commercial and recreational fisheries for scup. The current allocation is 78 percent commercial and 22 percent recreational. Issues include modification of the methodology to change catch allocations to landings allocations and the potential for transferring unused commercial quota to the recreational fishery on an annual basis. Scup Commercial Allocation Current regulations allocate the commercial scup quota to three periods based on historic landings: Winter I, Summer, and Winter II. The regulations also allow for unused quota to be transferred from the Winter I to the Winter II period. There has been some discussion at Commission Board and Council meetings to modify the allocations to each period and also allow for the transfer of quota from Winter I to the Summer period. Overcapacity in the Scup Commercial Fleet A moratorium on Federal commercial permits and the quota system have acted to constrain effort in the commercial scup fishery. However, the harvesting capacity may exceed the optimum yield on an annual basis, resulting in regulatory discards, derby fisheries, and negative impacts on habitat and protected resources. Overcapacity in the Scup Recreational Fishery The harvesting capacity of the scup recreational fishery may exceed the optimum yield on an annual basis, resulting in regulatory discards, derby fishing, and overcrowding of popular fishing areas. Scup Biological Reference Points The biological reference points for scup have not been reviewed or updated recently due to the lack of data. The current proxies are based on yield-per-recruit calculations to define overfishing and the NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center spring survey to define when the stock is overfished. There has been some interest in revising these reference points when data become available. Management of the Scup Party/Charter Fishery A portion of the TAL for scup could be allocated to the party/charter sector each year. Currently, fishermen fishing from party/charter boats are regulated by state regulations that apply to all recreational fishermen. A separate allocation could allow for the development of regulations that apply only to party/charter fishermen. Management of the Scup Shore Fishery A portion of the TAL could be allocated to fishermen fishing for scup from shore. Currently, fishermen fishing from the shore and shore-based structures are regulated by state regulations that apply to all recreational fishermen. A separate allocation could allow for the development of regulations that apply only to shore-based fishermen. Management of the Scup Recreational Fishery Unlike summer flounder, conservation equivalency has not been identified for scup. The Federal fishery management plan requires coastwide management measures that are identical for each state. However, the Commission has adopted addenda for the last several years that allow states to develop alternative management measures for state waters. Given this difference, there is some interest in developing a conservation equivalency approach that could be incorporated into both the Federal and state fishery management plans. Scup Discards The issue of regulatory discards in the commercial and recreational fisheries for scup has been raised a number of times over the years. However, discard rates in the commercial fishery have been difficult to quantify. In addition, 15 percent of the scup caught and released by anglers are assumed to die in the recreational fishery. Black Sea Bass Commercial Allocation Under the current regulations, the black sea bass quota is administered on a coastwide basis by NMFS to facilitate a state-by-state approach that is implemented by the Commission. The current state-by-state allocations are in effect through 2007. State-by-state allocations were developed to allow each state to develop specific management programs that were designed for the commercial fishery in their state. In recent years, fishermen from some states have expressed an interest in other options that could be used to allocate the quota, including an IFQ program. Overcapacity in the Black Sea Bass Commercial Fleet A moratorium on Federal commercial permits and the quota system have acted to constrain effort in the commercial black sea bass fishery. However, the harvesting capacity may exceed the optimum yield on an annual basis, resulting in regulatory discards, derby fisheries, and negative impacts on habitat and protected resources. Overcapacity in the Black Sea Bass Recreational Fishery The harvesting capacity of the black sea bass recreational fishery may exceed the optimum yield on an annual basis, resulting in regulatory discards, derby fishing, and overcrowding of popular fishing areas. Black Sea Bass Biological Reference Points The most recent assessment on black sea bass, completed in June 2004, updated the proxies used to define overfishing and an overfished condition for black sea bass. Additional data and associated analyses may result in potential changes to those reference points. Management of the Black Sea Bass Party/Charter Fishery A portion of the TAL for black sea bass could be allocated to the party/charter sector each year. Currently, fishermen fishing from party/charter boats are regulated by state regulations that apply to all recreational fishermen. A separate allocation could allow for the development of regulations that apply only to party/charter fishermen. Management of the Black Sea Bass Shore Fishery A portion of the TAL could be allocated to the fishermen fishing for black sea bass from shore. Currently, fishermen fishing from the shore and shore-based structures are regulated by state regulations that apply to all recreational fishermen. A separate allocation could allow for the development of regulations that apply only to shore-based fishermen. Black Sea Bass Discards The issue of regulatory discards in the commercial and recreational fisheries for black sea bass has been raised a number of times over the years. However, discard rates have been difficult to quantify. In addition, about 25 percent of the black sea bass caught and released by anglers are assumed to die in the recreational fishery. Data Collection Requirements and Protocols To improve the information available for assessment of summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass, changes could be made to information required to be reported through the Vessel Trip Report, dealer weighout, and observer programs. Rollover of Unused Quota The unused portion of the TAL in the recreational and commercial fisheries for each of the species could be rolled into the next year's respective TAL. Limitations on Vessel Replacement Upgrades The current commercial permits for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass allow for a one-time replacement/upgrade of 20 percent in horsepower and/or 10 percent in vessel length. Several individuals have indicated these restrictions may be unfair, particularly for small vessel owners. The Council could consider changes to these regulations. Scoping Meetings Schedule Ten public scoping meetings are scheduled as follows (note that NY meeting(s) to be determined): 1. Monday, April 3, 2006, 7 p.m.; Roanoke Island Festival Park, One Festival Park, Manteo, NC; Contact: Red Munden,

(252)726-7021. 2. Tuesday, April 4, 2006, 7 p.m.; Carteret Community College, CMAST Building, Room 306, Morehead City, NC; Contact: Red Munden,

(252)726-7021. 3. Tuesday, April 4, 2006, 7 p.m.; Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Ave, 4th floor, Newport News, VA; Contact: Jack Travelstead,

(757)247-2247. 4. Monday, April 10, 2006, 6 p.m.; University of Rhode Island Narragansett Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI; Contact: Brian Murphy,

(401)423-1941. 5. Monday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.; Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Road, Ocean Pines, MD; Contact: Howard J. King, III,

(410)260-8281. 6. Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 7 p.m.; Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Marine Headquarters, 333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, CT; Contact: Dave Simpson,

(860)434-6043. 7. Tuesday, April 18, 2006, 7 p.m.; Ocean County Complex, 118 Washington Street; Toms River, NJ; Contact: Tom McCloy,

(609)292-7794. 8. Tuesday, April 18, 2006, 7 p.m.; Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE; Contact: Rick Cole,

(302)739-4782. 9. Thursday, April 20, 2006, 6 p.m.; Radisson Plymouth Harbor, 180 Water Street, Plymouth, MA; Contact: David Pierce,

(617)626-1532. 10. Tuesday, May 2, 2006, 7 p.m.; Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel, 36th & Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA; Contact: Dan Furlong,

(302)674-2331. One or two public scoping meetings will be held in NY but have not yet been scheduled. Contact: Gordon Colvin,

(631)444-0433. This information will be posted on the Commission's website ( *http://www.asmfc.org* ) when available. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Jan Saunders,

(302)674-2331, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 *et. seq.* Dated: March 22, 2006. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-4500 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 031506C] Marine Mammals; File No. 881-1745 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), P.O. Box 1329, Seward, Alaska 99664 (Dr. Shannon Atkinson, Principal Investigator), has been issued a permit to conduct scientific research on captive Steller sea lions ( *Eumetopias jubatus* ). ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521; and Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Tammy Adams, (301)713-2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 8, 2004, notice was published in the **Federal Register** (69 FR 10681) that a request for a scientific research permit to take the species identified above had been submitted by the above-named organization. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the Regulations Governing the Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226). The ASLC has been issued a 5-year permit to continue research on three permanently captive Steller sea lions. Research objectives include the investigation of stress responses, endocrine and immune system function, and seasonal variations to normal biological parameters such as mass and body composition; and research and development of external tags and attachments for future deployment in the field. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 *et seq.* ), an environmental assessment was prepared analyzing the effects of the permitted activities. After a Finding of No Significant Impact, the determination was made that it was not necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement. Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permit:

(1)Was applied for in good faith;

(2)will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and

(3)is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: March 16, 2006. Stephen L. Leathery Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-4495 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Request for Comments Concerning Proposed Extension of Approval of a Collection of Information—Safety Standard for Walk-Behind Power Lawn Mowers AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Consumer Product Safety Commission requests comments on a proposed request for an extension of approval of a collection of information from manufacturers and importers of walk-behind power lawn mowers. This collection of information consists of testing and recordkeeping requirements in certification regulations implementing the Safety Standard for Walk-Behind Power Lawn Mowers (16 CFR part 1205). The Commission will consider all comments received in response to this notice before requesting an extension of approval of this collection of information from the Office of Management and Budget. DATES: The Office of the Secretary must receive written comments not later than May 30, 2006. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned “Walk-Behind Power Lawn Mowers” and sent by e-mail to *cpsc-os@cpsc.gov.* Written comments may also be sent to the Office of the Secretary by facsimile at

(301)504-0127, or by mail to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, 20814. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the proposed extension of approval of the collection of information, or to obtain a copy of 16 CFR part 1205, call or write Linda L. Glatz, Office of Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington DC 20207; telephone

(301)504-7671. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1979, the Commission issued the Safety Standard for Walk-Behind Power Lawn Mowers (16 CFR part 1205) under provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act

(CPSA)(15 U.S.C. 2051 *et seq.* ) to eliminate or reduce risks of amputations, avulsions, lacerations, and other serious injuries which have resulted from the accidental contact of some part of an operator's body with the rotating blade of a power lawn mower. The standard contains performance and labeling requirements for walk-behind power lawn mowers to address risks of blade-contact injuries. A. Certification Requirements Section 14(a) of the CPSA (15 U.S.C. 2063(a)) requires manufacturers, importers, and private labelers of a consumer product subject to a consumer product safety standard to issue a certificate stating that the product complies with all applicable consumer product safety standards. Section 14(a) of the CPSA also requires that the certificate of compliance must be based on a test of each product or upon a reasonable testing program. Section 14(b) of the CPSA authorizes the Commission to issue regulations to prescribe a reasonable testing program to support certificates of compliance with a consumer product safety standard. Section 16(b) of the CPSA (15 U.S.C 2065(b)) authorizes the Commission to issue rules to require that firms “establish and maintain” records to permit the Commission to determine compliance with rules issued under the authority of the CPSA. The Commission has issued regulations prescribing requirements for a reasonable testing program to support certificates of compliance with the standard for walk-behind power mowers. These regulations also require manufacturers, importers, and private labelers of walk-behind power mowers to establish and maintain records to demonstrate compliance with the requirements for testing to support certification of compliance. 16 CFR part 1205, subpart B. The Commission uses the information compiled and maintained by manufacturers and importers of walk-behind power mowers to protect consumers from risks of injuries associated with walk-behind power lawn mowers. More specifically, the Commission uses this information to determine whether the mowers produced and imported comply with the applicable standard. The Commission also uses this information to obtain corrective actions if walk-behind power mowers fail to comply with the standard in a manner which creates a substantial risk of injury to the public. The Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)approved the collection of information requirements for walk-behind mowers under control number 3041-0091. OMB's most recent extension of approval will expire on June 30, 2006. The Commission proposes to request an extension of approval without change for these collection of information requirements. B. Estimated Burden The Commission staff estimates that about 20 firms are subject to the testing and recordkeeping requirements of the certification regulations. The Commission staff estimates further that the annual testing and recordkeeping burden imposed by the regulations on each of these firms on average is approximately 390 hours. Thus, the total annual burden imposed by the certification regulations on all manufacturers and importers of walk-behind power mowers is about 7,800 hours. The Commission staff estimates that the hourly wage for the time required to perform the required testing and to maintain the required records is about $42.84 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2005), and that the annual total cost to the industry is approximately $334,000. C. Request for Comments The Commission solicits written comments from all interested persons about the proposed collection of information. The Commission specifically solicits information relevant to the following topics: —Whether the collection of information described above is necessary for the proper performance of the Commission's functions, including whether the information would have practical utility; —Whether the estimated burden of the proposed collection of information is accurate; —Whether the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected could be enhanced; and —Whether the burden imposed by the collection of information could be minimized by use of automated, electronic or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology. Dated: March 22, 2006. Todd A. Stevenson, Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission. [FR Doc. E6-4475 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6355-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Overview Information; Migrant Education Even Start Family Literacy Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Years

(FY)2005 and 2006 *Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA)Number:* 84.214A. *Dates:* Applications Available: March 28, 2006. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 12, 2006. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 11, 2006. *Eligible Applicants:* Any entity is eligible to apply for a grant under the Migrant Education Even Start

(MEES)Family Literacy Program. For example, the following types of entities are eligible to apply: State educational agencies

(SEAs)that administer migrant education programs; local educational agencies

(LEAs)that have a high percentage of migratory students; nonprofit community-based organizations that work with migratory agricultural or fishing families; and faith-based organizations. *Estimated Available Funds:* $3,450,000. This is the combined estimate from both FY 2005 and FY 2006 funds. Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2007 from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition. *Estimated Range of Awards:* $150,000-$500,000 per year. *Estimated Average Size of Awards:* $345,000 per year. *Estimated Number of Awards:* 10. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 48 months. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description *Purpose of Program:* MEES Family Literacy program grants are intended to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy of migratory agricultural or fishing families by improving the educational opportunities of these families through the integration of early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program. This program is implemented through cooperative activities that build on high-quality existing community resources to create a new range of educational services for most-in-need migratory agricultural or fishing families; promote the academic achievement of migratory children and adults; assist migratory children and adults from low-income families in achieving challenging State content standards and challenging State student achievement standards; and use instructional programs based on scientifically based reading research on preventing and overcoming reading difficulties for children and adults. The application package contains a description of the 15 program elements that MEES projects must provide, as required under Title I, Part B, Section 1235 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). *Priorities:* This notice includes one competitive preference priority and two invitational priorities. *Competitive Preference Priority:* For the FY 2006 competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards based on the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105, this priority is from the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that apply to this program (34 CFR 75.225). Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award an additional five points to an application that meets this competitive preference priority. This Priority Is: Novice Applicant The applicant must be a “novice applicant.” Under 34 CFR 75.225 a novice applicant is an applicant that has never received a grant or subgrant under the MEES program; has never been a participant in a group application, submitted in accordance with §§ 75.127 through 75.129 of EDGAR, that received a grant under the MEES program; and has not had an active discretionary grant from the Federal Government in the five years before the deadline date for applications under the MEES program. *Invitational Priorities:* For the FY 2006 competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards based on the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other applications. These Priorities Are: Invitational Priority 1—Partnerships to Improve School Readiness The Secretary is especially interested in applications for projects that would develop collaborative efforts and partnerships that leverage Federal, State, and local funding in order to improve reading proficiency and advance English language acquisition so that migratory children enter elementary school with strong early reading skills. Invitational Priority 2—Collaboration With Experienced MEES Projects The Secretary is especially interested in applications that would build networks among novice applicants and experienced MEES projects in order to eliminate disruptions in the education of participating families and engage migrant agricultural or fishing families wherever they move outside the area in which the project operates. Networks among experienced and novice projects increase the likelihood of maintaining the academic progress of migratory adults and children regardless of where migratory families travel to perform qualifying agricultural or fishing work. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6381a(a)(1)(A). *Applicable Regulations:* EDGAR in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian tribes. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. II. Award Information *Type of Award:* Discretionary grants. *Estimated Available Funds:* $3,450,000. This is the combined estimate from both FY 2005 and FY 2006 funds. Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2007 from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition. *Estimated Range of Awards:* $150,000—$500,000 per year. *Estimated Average Size of Awards:* $345,000 per year. *Estimated Number of Awards:* 10. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 48 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. *Eligible Applicants:* Any entity is eligible to apply for a grant under the MEES Family Literacy Program. For example, the following types of entities are eligible to apply: SEAs that administer migrant education programs; LEAs that have a high percentage of migratory students; nonprofit community-based organizations that work with migratory agricultural or fishing families; and faith-based organizations. 2. *Cost Sharing or Matching:* See ESEA section 1234(b). Matching requirements for the MEES program begin at 10 percent of the total cost of the project in the project's first year and increase incrementally as the project continues to receive Federal support. A project funded for a second cycle, years 5 through 8, must maintain a 50 percent cost share of the total cost of the project. A project funded for cycles beginning in year 9 must maintain a 65 percent cost share of the total cost of the project. 3. *Other:* Eligible MEES participants consist of migratory children and their parents who meet the definitions of a migratory child, a migratory agricultural worker, or a migratory fisher in 34 CFR 200.81 and who also meet the conditions specified in section 1236(a) of the ESEA. IV: Application and Submission Information 1. *Address to Request Application Package:* Education Publications Center (ED Pubs), P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone (toll free): 1-877-433-7827. FAX:

(301)470-1244. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll free): 1-877-576-7734. You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: *http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html* or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: *edpubs@inet.ed.gov.* If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.214A. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application package in an alternative format ( *e.g.* , Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed under section VII of this notice. 2. *Content and Form of Application Submission:* Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this program. Page, Appendices, and Other Limits:

(1)The application narrative (Part III of the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. In addition, the budget narrative is where you provide an itemized budget breakdown, by project year, for each budget category listed in Sections A and B of Budget Form 524. You are encouraged to limit your application narrative (Part III of the application) to the equivalent of no more than 25 pages and limit the additional budget narrative to the equivalent of no more than 4 typed pages. Use the following standards for both the application and budget narratives: • A “page” is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. • Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) text in the application and budget narratives, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions. However, you may single space information in tables, charts, or graphs in the application and budget narratives and appendices. • Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). You may use other point fonts for any tables, charts, and graphs, but those tables, charts, and graphs should be in a font size that is easily readable by the reviewers of your application. • Any application or budget narrative, table, chart, or graph is included in the over-all narrative page limit. The appendices are not part of these page limits.

(2)You are encouraged to limit the appendices, curriculum vitae, or position descriptions of no more than five people (including key contract personnel and consultants), and endnote citations to no more than two pages for the scientifically based reading research upon which your instructional programs are based.

(3)Additionally, please limit other application materials to the specific materials indicated in the application package and do not include any video or other non-print materials. 3. *Submission Dates and Times:* Applications Available: March 28, 2006. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 12, 2006. Applications for grants under this program may be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. *Other Submission Requirements* in this notice. We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 11, 2006. 4. *Intergovernmental Review:* This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this program. 5. *Funding Restrictions:* Recipients of a MEES Family Literacy program grant may not use funds awarded under this competition for the indirect costs of a project or claim indirect costs as part of the local project share. (ESEA section 1234(b)(3)) We reference regulations outlining additional funding restrictions in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice. 6. *Other Submission Requirements:* Applications for grants under this program may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. a. *Electronic Submission of Applications* . We have been accepting applications electronically through the Department's e-Application system since FY 2000. In order to expand on those efforts and comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are continuing to participate as a partner in the new governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site in FY 2006. The MEES Family Literacy Program—CFDA Number 84.214A is one of the programs included in this project. We request your participation in Grants.gov. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must use the Grants.gov Apply site at *http://www.Grants.gov* . Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. You may access the electronic grant application for the MEES Family Literacy Program at: * http:// www.grants.gov * . You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search. Please note the following: • Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary. • When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation. • Applications received by Grants.gov are time and date stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted, and must be date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application if it is date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. • The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. • You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the application package for this program to ensure that you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also find the Education Submissions Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov at *http://e-grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf* . • To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must complete all of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see *http://www.Grants.gov/GetStarted* ). These steps include

(1)Registering your organization,

(2)registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR), and

(3)getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see *http://www.grants.gov/assets/GrantsgovCoBrandBrochure8X11.pdf* ). You also must provide on your application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please note that the registration process may take five or more business days to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to allow you to submit an application successfully via Grants.gov. • You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format. • You may submit all documents electronically, including all information typically included on the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified above or submit a password-protected file, we will not review that material. • Your electronic application must comply with any page-limit requirements described in this notice. • After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation by e-mail that will include a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying number unique to your application). • We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a later date. Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically, or by hand delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing instructions as described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the deadline date, please contact the person listed elsewhere in this notice under *For Further Information Contact* , and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number (if available). We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted. Note: Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the unavailability of or technical problems with the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to register fully to submit your application to Grants.gov before the deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system. b. *Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.* If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable following address: *By mail through the U.S. Postal Service:* U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.214A), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260. or *By mail through a commercial carrier:* U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center—Stop 4260, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.214A), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506. Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:

(1)A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark,

(2)A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service,

(3)A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier, or

(4)Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

(1)A private metered postmark, or

(2)A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application. Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office. c. *Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.* If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.214A), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. *Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications:* If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department:

(1)You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 4 of the ED 424 the CFDA number—and suffix letter, if any—of the competition under which you are submitting your application.

(2)The Application Control Center will mail a grant application receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant application receipt acknowledgment within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at

(202)245-6288. V. Application Review Information *Selection Criteria:* The selection criteria for this program are in 34 CFR 75.210. The selection criteria are included in the application package. VI. Award Administration Information 1. *Award Notices:* If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you. 2. *Administrative and National Policy Requirements:* We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant. 3. *Reporting:* At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. 4. *Performance Measures:* The Government Performance and Results Act

(GPRA)directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program results against those goals. Program officials must develop performance measures for all of their grant programs in order to assess their performance and effectiveness. The Department has established a set of indicators to assess the effectiveness of the Even Start program. The MEES Family Literacy projects will use these indicators to measure increases in the

(1)Percentage of adults showing significant learning gains on measures of reading;

(2)percentage of limited English proficient

(LEP)adults showing significant learning gains on measures of English language acquisition;

(3)percentage of school-age adults who earn a high school diploma or GED;

(4)percentage of non-school-age adults who earn a high school diploma or GED;

(5)percentage of children entering kindergarten who are achieving significant learning gains on measures of language development;

(6)the average number of letters children can identify as measured by the PALS Pre-K Uppercase Letter Naming Subtask;

(7)percentage of school-age children who are reading on grade level; and

(8)percentage of parents who show improvement on measures of parental support for children's learning in the home, school environment, and through interactive learning activities. All grantees will be expected to submit, as part of an annual performance report, information documenting their progress with regard to these performance measures. VII. Agency Contact *For Further Information Contact:* DonnaMarie Marlow, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3E313, Washington, DC 20202-6135. Telephone:

(202)260-2815 or by e-mail: *DonnaMarie.Marlow@ed.gov* . If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service

(FRS)at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format ( *e.g.* , Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this section. VIII. Other Information *Electronic Access to This Document:* You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the **Federal Register** , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format

(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister* . To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at

(202)512-1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the **Federal Register** . Free Internet access to the official edition of the **Federal Register** and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: *http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.* Dated: March 22, 2006. Henry L. Johnson, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. [FR Doc. E6-4435 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Territories and Freely Associated States Education Grant (T&FASEG) Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year

(FY)2006 *Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA)Number: 84.256A.* *Dates:* *Applications Available:* March 28, 2006. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* May 12, 2006. *Deadline for Intergovernmental Review:* July 12, 2006. *Eligible Applicants:* Only local educational agencies

(LEAs)in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Republic of Palau. *Estimated Available Funds:* $4,750,000. *Estimated Range of Awards:* $650,000-1,500,000. *Estimated Average Size of Awards:* $792,000. *Estimated Number of Awards:* 4-6. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 36 months. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description *Purpose of Program:* Territories and Freely Associated States Education grants support projects to raise student achievement through direct educational services. Grants are awarded to LEAs in the U.S. Territories (American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and the Republic of Palau. The LEA may use grant funds to carry out activities authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), including teacher training, curriculum development, development or acquisition of instructional materials, and general school improvement and reform. Under the T&FASEG program, the Secretary awards grants for projects to—

(a)Conduct activities consistent with the purposes of the ESEA, as amended by NCLB, including the types of activities authorized by these ESEA titles—

(1)Title I—Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged.

(2)Title II—Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High-quality Teachers and Principals.

(3)Title III—Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students.

(4)Title IV—21st Century Schools.

(5)Title V—Promoting Informed Parental Choice and Innovative Programs.

(b)Provide direct educational services that assist all students with meeting challenging State academic achievement standards. Note: The Secretary interprets the term direct educational services to—

(1)Mean activities that are designed to improve student achievement or the quality of education; and

(2)Include instructional services for students and teacher training. Note: The full text of the ESEA, as amended by NCLB, may be found on the Internet at: *http://www.ed.gov/legislation/ESEA02/* . *Priorities:* Under this competition we are particularly interested in applications that address the following priorities. *Invitational Priorities:* For FY 2006 these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other applications. These priorities are: *Invitational Priority 1—Reading Literacy:* The Secretary is particularly interested in receiving applications that focus on building early reading literacy skills that will help to improve student achievement in reading and language performance as measured by State academic standards. Research shows that children who read well in the early grades are far more successful in later years, and those who fall behind often stay behind when it comes to academic achievement (Snow, Burns, and Griffin 1998). Reading opens the door to learning about math, history, science, literature, geography, and much more. Thus, young, capable readers can succeed in these subjects, take advantage of other opportunities, and develop confidence in their own abilities. On the other hand, those students who cannot read well are much more likely to drop out of school and be limited to low-paying jobs throughout their lives. Reading is undeniably critical to success in today's society. The Secretary encourages applicants to align their projects with the performance measures described in section VI. 4. *Performance Measures of this notice.* *Invitational Priority 2—Teacher Quality:* The Secretary is particularly interested in LEA projects that focus on professional development and teacher training that improve teacher qualifications and the quality of teaching and instruction. A major objective of NCLB is to ensure that all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or income, have the best teachers possible. A well-prepared teacher is vitally important to a child's education. In fact, research demonstrates the clear correlation between student academic achievement and teacher quality (Whitehurst, G. 2002). The Secretary encourages applicants to align their projects with the performance measures described in section VI. 4. of this notice. *Program Authority:* 20 U.S.C. 6331. *Applicable Regulations:* The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 97, 98, and 99. II. Award Information *Type of Award:* Discretionary grants. *Estimated Available Funds:* $4,750,000. *Estimated Range of Awards:* $650,000-$1,500,000. *Estimated Average Size of Awards:* $792,000. *Estimated Number of Awards:* 4-6. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 36 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. *Eligible Applicants:* Only LEAs in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Republic of Palau. 2. *Cost Sharing or Matching:* This program does not involve cost sharing or matching. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. *Address to Request Application Package:* You may obtain the application package electronically by downloading it from the Territories and Freely Associated States Education Program Web site: *http://www.ed.gov/programs/tfasegp/applicant.html* . You may also request an application package by contacting Valerie Rogers, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3E245, Washington, DC 20202-6400. Telephone 202-260-2543 or by e-mail: *Valerie.Rogers@ed.gov* . If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service

(FRS)at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed above in this section of the notice. 2. *Content and Form of Application Submission:* Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this competition. *Page Limit:* The project narrative (Section D of the application package) is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that the reviewers will use to evaluate your application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to limit the project narrative (text plus all figures, charts, tables, and diagrams) to the equivalent of no more than 35 single-sided pages, using the following standards: A “page” is 8.5 x 11, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. Use a font that is 12 point or larger. The page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; required standard forms, budget section, including the budget justification narrative; assurances and certifications; one-page abstract; endnotes; or resumes. However, you must include all of the application narrative in the narrative section. Appendices to the narrative are not permitted. 3. *Submission Dates and Times:* *Applications Available:* March 28, 2006. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* May 12, 2006. Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov) or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. *Other Submission Requirements* in this notice. The Department does not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. *Deadline for Intergovernmental Review:* July 12, 2006. 4. *Intergovernmental Review:* This competition is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this competition. 5. *Funding Restrictions:* We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice. 6. *Other Submission Requirements:* Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. a. *Electronic Submission of Applications.* We have been accepting applications electronically through the Department's e-Application system since FY 2000. In order to expand on those efforts and comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are continuing to participate as a partner in the new governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site in FY 2006. The T&FASEG program-CFDA Number 84.256A is one of the programs included in this project. We request your participation in Grants.gov. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must use the Grants.gov Apply site at *http://www.Grants.gov* . Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. You may access the electronic grant application for the T&FASEG program at: *http://www.grants.gov* . You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search. Please note the following: • Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary. • When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation. • Applications received by Grants.gov are time and date stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted, and must be date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application if it is date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. • The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. • You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the application package for this competition to ensure that you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov at *http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf* . • To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must complete all of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see *http://www.Grants.gov/GetStarted* ). These steps include

(1)registering your organization,

(2)registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR), and

(3)getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see *http://www.grants.gov/assets/GrantsgovCoBrandBrochure8X11.pdf* ). You also must provide on your application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please note that the registration process may take five or more business days to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to allow you to successfully submit an application via Grants.gov. • You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format. • You may submit all documents electronically, including all information typically included on the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified above or submit a password protected file, we will not review that material. • Your electronic application must comply with any page-limit requirements described in this notice. • After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation by e-mail that will include a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying number unique to your application). • We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a later date. *Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability:* If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically, or by hand delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing instructions as described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the deadline date, please contact the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number (if available). We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted. Note: Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the unavailability of or technical problems with the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system. b. *Submission of Paper Applications by Mail* . If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable following address: *By mail through the U.S. Postal Service:* U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: CFDA Number 84.256A, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260 or *By mail through a commercial carrier:* U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center—Stop 4260, Attention: CFDA Number 84.256A, 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506. Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:

(1)A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark,

(2)A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service,

(3)A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier, or

(1)A private metered postmark, or

(2)A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application. Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office. c. *Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.* If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 84.256A, 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays and Federal holidays. *Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications:* If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department:

(1)You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424) the CFDA number—and suffix letter, if any—of the competition under which you are submitting your application.

(202)245-6288. V. Application Review Information *Selection Criteria:* The selection criteria are from 34 CFR 75.209-75.210. The maximum possible score for this competition is 100 points. As provided for in the ESEA, as amended by NCLB, the Secretary, in making awards under this program, will take into consideration the recommendations of Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL). PREL will use the following criteria in developing its recommendations, and the Secretary will use them in making final funding decisions. The Notes following the selection criteria are meant to serve as guidance to assist the applicant in creating a stronger application, and are not required by statute or regulation.

(a)*Need for Project.* (5 points)

(1)The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.

(2)In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i)The magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the proposed project.

(ii)The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or the activities to be carried out by the proposed project.

(iii)The extent to which the proposed project will provide services or otherwise address the needs of students who are at risk of educational failure. Note: In meeting this criterion, the Secretary encourages the applicant to clearly demonstrate unique needs and circumstances that justify funding support for this project. The Secretary also encourages the applicant to demonstrate the extent to which local resources are used to meet the needs addressed by the project proposal.

(b)*Significance.* (10 points)

(1)The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project.

(2)In determining the significance of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i)The national significance of the proposed project.

(ii)The significance of the problem or issue to be addressed by the proposed project.

(iii)The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in teaching and student achievement.

(c)*Quality of the Project Design.* (25 points)

(1)The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project.

(2)In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i)The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.

(ii)The extent to which the design of the proposed project is appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target population or other identified needs.

(iii)The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated with similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate community, State, and Federal resources.

(iv)The extent to which the proposed project is part of a comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support rigorous academic standards for students.

(v)The extent to which the proposed project encourages parental involvement.

(vi)The extent to which performance feedback and continuous improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project.

(d)*Adequacy of Resources.* (5 points)

(1)The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed project.

(2)In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i)The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the proposed project.

(ii)The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.

(iii)The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and benefits.

(e)*Quality of project personnel.* (15 points)

(1)The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project.

(2)In determining the quality of the personnel, the Secretary considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

(3)In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i)The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of the project director or principal investigator.

(ii)The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel.

(iii)The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of project consultants or subcontractors. Note: In meeting this criterion, the Secretary encourages the applicant to attach curricula vitae, résumés, etc., of key project personnel.

(f)*Quality of the project evaluation.* (25 points)

(1)The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed project.

(2)In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i)The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.

(ii)The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative data to the extent possible. Note: In meeting this criterion, the Secretary encourages the applicant to align its evaluation with the performance measures described in section VI.4 of this notice.

(g)*Quality of project services.* (15 points)

(1)The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project.

(2)In determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

(3)In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i)The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or beneficiaries of those services.

(ii)The likely impact of the services to be provided by the proposed project on the intended recipients of those services.

(iii)The extent to which the training or professional development services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice among the recipients of those services.

(iv)The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project are focused on those with greatest needs. VI. Award Administration Information 1. *Award Notices:* If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you. 2. *Administrative and National Policy Requirements:* We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant. 3. *Reporting:* At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. 4. *Performance Measures:* The Department has developed two performances measures for evaluating the effectiveness of the T&FASEG program—(1) The percentage of students who participate in reading programs under the T&FASEG program reading at or above grade level on State assessments; and

(2)The percentage of teachers who participate in professional development activities under the T&FASEG program meeting State teacher certification standards. All grantees must submit an annual performance report addressing these performance measures, to the extent that they apply to the grantee's project. VII. Agency Contacts FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Rogers, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3E245, Washington, DC 20202-6140. Telephone:

(202)260-2543 or by e-mail: *Valerie.Rogers@ed.gov.* If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service

(FRS)at 1-888-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format ( *e.g.* , Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request from the contact person listed in this section. VIII. Other Information *Electronic Access to this Document.* You may view this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the **Federal Register** , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format

(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/news.fedregister.* To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at

(202)512-1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the **Federal Register** . Free Internet access to the official edition of the **Federal Register** and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: *http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.* Dated: March 23, 2006. Henry L. Johnson, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. [FR Doc. E6-4498 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Agency Information Collection Extension AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Submission for Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)review; comment request. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend for three years the information collection packages listed at the end of this notice. Comments are invited on:

(a)Whether the extended information collections are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility;

(b)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the information collections, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(d)ways to minimize the burden of the information collections on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. DATES: Comments regarding this collection must be received on or before April 27, 2006. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, please advise the OMB Desk Officer of your intention to make a submission as soon as possible. The Desk Officer may be telephoned at 202-395-4650. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: DOE Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10102, 735 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. Comments should also be addressed to: Jeffrey Martus, IM-11/Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave SW., Washington, DC 20585-1290, or by fax at 301-903-9061 or by e-mail at *Jeffrey.martus@hq.doe.gov* . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Jeffrey Martus at the address listed above in ADDRESSES . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collection packages listed in this notice for public comment include the following: 1.

(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-0300.

(2)*Package Title:* Environment, Safety and Health.

(3)*Type of Review:* Renewal.

(4)*Purpose:* This information is required to ensure that environment, safety, and health resources and requirements are managed efficiently and effectively and to exercise management oversight of DOE contractors.

(5)*Respondents:* 111,038.

(6)*Estimated Number of Burden Hours:* 195,000. 2.

(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-5101.

(2)*Package Title: U.S. Dept. of Energy:* Annual Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acquisition Report for State Government & Alternative Fuel Provider Fleets.

(3)*Type of Review:* Renewal.

(4)*Purpose:* This collection is critical to ensure the Government has sufficient information to ensure that covered fleets are complying with annual reporting and acquisition requirements under the Alternative Fuel Transportation Program.

(5)*Respondents:* 317.

(6)*Estimated Number of Burden Hours:* 1,585. 3.

(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-5111.

(2)*Package Title:* Purchasing by DOE Management and Operating Contractors from Contractor Affiliated Sources.

(3)*Type of Review:* Renewal.

(4)*Purpose:* This information is required by the Department to ensure that programmatic and administrative management requirements and resources are managed efficiently and effectively. The package contains one information and/or recordkeeping requirement, that is, the provision found at 48 CFR 952.209-8, Organizational Conflicts of Interest Disclosure—Advisory and Assistance Services.

(5)*Respondents:* 20.

(6)*Estimated Number of Burden Hours:* 100. 4.

(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-5121.

(2)*Package Title:* End-Use Certificate.

(3)*Type of Review:* Renewal.

(4)*Purpose:* This information is required to determine the acceptability of the individual(s) acquiring High Risk personal property; inform buyers of the laws and regulations governing the use, disposition, export and re-export of High Risk property and ensure that the property is used as stipulated in the End-Use Certificate.

(5)*Respondents:* 5,000.

(6)*Estimated Number of Burden Hours:* 1,650. 5.

(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-0500.

(2)*Package Title:* Financial Management.

(3)*Type of Review:* Renewal.

(4)*Purpose:* This information is required by the Department to ensure that financial management resources and requirements are managed efficiently and effectively and to exercise management oversight of DOE contractors.

(5)*Respondents:* 12,626.

(6)*Estimated Burden Hours:* 152,704. 6.

(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-0400;

(2)*Package Title:* Financial Assistance

(3)*Type of Review:* Renewal.

(4)*Purpose:* This package contains information collections necessary for the solicitation, award, administration, and closeout of grants and cooperative agreements

(5)*Estimated Number of Respondents:* 26,902

(6)*Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 339,792. Statutory Authority: Department of Energy Organization Act, Public Law 95-91. Issued in Washington, DC on March 21, 2006. Jeffrey D. Martus, Records Management Division, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-4489 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Agency Information Collection Extension AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 intends to extend for three years, an information collection package with the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)concerning the Human Reliability Program (HRP), OMB Control Number 1910-5122. The collections consist of forms that will certify to DOE that respondents were advised of the requirements for occupying or continuing to occupy a HRP position. The HRP is a security and safety reliability program for individuals who apply for or occupy certain positions that are critical to the national security. It requires an initial and annual supervisory review, medical assessment, management evaluation, and a DOE personnel security review of all applicants or incumbents. It is also used to ensure that employees assigned to nuclear explosive duties do not have emotional, mental, or physical conditions that could result in an accidental or unauthorized detonation of nuclear explosives. Comments are invited on:

(a)Whether the extended collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility;

(b)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(d)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before May 30, 2006. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to: Kathy Murphy, SP-1.22 Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585-1290, or by fax at 301-903-6081 or by e-mail at *Kathy.murphy@hq.doe.gov* and to: Sharon A. Evelin, Director, IM-11/Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585-1290, or by fax at 301-903-9061 or by e-mail at *sharon.evelin@hq.doe.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Kathy Murphy at the address listed above in ADDRESSES . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This package contains:

(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-5122;

(2)*Package Title:* Human Reliability Program;

(3)*Type of Review:* renewal;

(4)*Purpose:* for DOE management to ensure that individuals who occupy HRP positions meet program standards of reliability and physical and mental suitability;

(5)*Respondents:* 11,500;

(6)*Estimated Number of Burden Hours:* 5,750. *Statutory Authority:* Department of Energy Organization Act, Public Law 95-91, of August 4, 1977. Issued in Washington, DC, on March 21, 2006. Jeffrey D. Martus, Acting Director, Records Management Division, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-4490 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Agency Information Collection Extension AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend for three years the information collection packages listed at the end of this notice. Comments are invited on:

(a)Whether the extended information collections are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility;

(b)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the information collections, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(d)ways to minimize the burden of the information collections on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget review and approval of these information collections; they also will become a matter of public record. DATES: Comments regarding these proposed information collections must be received on or before May 30, 2006. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to: Jeffrey Martus, IM-11/Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585-1290, or by fax at 301-903-9061 or by e-mail at *Jeffrey.martus@hq.doe.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Jeffrey Martus at the address listed above in ADDRESSES . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collection packages listed in this notice for public comment include the following: 1.

(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-1000.

(2)*Package Title:* Personal Property.

(3)*Type of Review:* Renewal.

(4)*Purpose:* This information collection provides the Department with the information necessary for the management, control, reutilization, and disposal of government personal property.

(5)*Respondents:* 111.

(6)*Estimated Number of Burden Hours:* 1,880. 2.

(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-5112.

(2)*Package Title:* Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program.

(3)*Type of Review:* Renewal.

(4)*Purpose:* This information is used by DOE and DOE contractor employers to manage chronic beryllium disease prevention programs, to provide information to employees, and to permit oversight of their programs by DOE management.

(5)*Respondents:* 1, 703.

(6)*Estimated Burden Hours:* 32,952. 3.

(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-5103.

(2)*Package Title:* Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Safety Management System.

(3)*Type of Review:* Renewal.

(4)*Purpose:* This collection is required by the Department to ensure that the management and operating contractors are performing work safely at DOE facilities.

(5)*Respondents:* 7.

(6)*Estimated Number of Burden Hours:* 2,450. *Statutory Authority:* Department of Energy Organization Act, Public Law 95-91. Issued in Washington, DC, on March 21, 2006. Jeffrey D. Martus, Records Management Division, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-4491 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Floodplain and Wetland Actions: Site Selection for Expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Announcement AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of Proposed Floodplain and Wetland Actions. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy

(DOE)is preparing an environmental impact statement

(EIS)for site selection for expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, as required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Some potential sites for expansion or new development of the Reserve and for pipeline rights-of-way are located in floodplains or wetlands. DOE hereby gives early notice that it will include in the Draft EIS a floodplain and wetland assessment prepared in accordance with the DOE Regulations for Compliance with Floodplain and Wetland Environmental Review Requirements (10 CFR Part 1022) and provides for early public input. DATES: DOE intends to issue the Draft EIS containing the floodplain and wetland assessment in the near future. Any suggestions related to preparation of the floodplain and wetland assessment would be most helpful if received no later than April 12, 2006. ADDRESSES: Suggestions or questions may be submitted by any of the following methods, identified by “Notice of Floodplain and Wetland Actions for the SPR EIS” on the subject line, cover sheet, or envelope, respectively: • E-mail: *Donald.Silawsky@hq.doe.gov.* • Fax:

(202)586-4446. • Mail: Donald Silawsky, Office of Petroleum Reserves (FE-47), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0301. Please note that mail may be delayed by anthrax screening. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: To receive information on the proposed expansion of the SPR or the floodplain and wetland assessments, or to request a copy of the Draft EIS when it is issued, contact Donald Silawsky by any of the means listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, or call

(202)586-1892. Additional information may also be found on the DOE Fossil Energy Web site for “EIS Information for Expanding the Nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserves” at *http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/reserves/spr/expansion-eis.html.* For further information on the DOE NEPA process, please contact: Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance (EH-42), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0119; telephone:

(202)586-4600; fax:

(202)586-7031; or leave a toll-free message at:

(800)472-2756. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Background:* DOE published a notice of intent to prepare an EIS for site selection for the expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at 70 FR 52088 on September 1, 2005. In response to conditions following Hurricane Katrina, DOE extended the scoping period through October 28, 2005 (70 FR 56649; September 28, 2005) and held public scoping meetings in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. On October 27, 2005, the Governor of Mississippi requested the Secretary of Energy to include a new site at Bruinsburg Salt Dome in the analysis of environmental impacts. On November 22, 2005 (70 FR 70600), in response to the inclusion of the new site, DOE announced that another public meeting would be held in Mississippi on December 7, 2005, and the public scoping period would be reopened until December 19, 2005. Locations of Potential Actions in Wetlands and Floodplains *Construction and Operation of Reserves.* Candidate sites for expansion of existing Strategic Petroleum Reserve storage capacity are at West Hackberry and Bayou Choctaw, Louisiana, and Big Hill, Texas. Candidate sites for construction of new Strategic Petroleum Reserve storage capacity are at Chacahoula and Clovelly, Louisiana; Richton and Bruinsburg, Mississippi; and Stratton Ridge, Texas. The expansion sites and the candidate construction sites all involve potential actions in floodplains and/or wetlands. *Petroleum Pipelines.* The candidate Big Hill, Bayou Choctaw, and West Hackberry expansion sites and the new candidate Chacahoula, Clovelly, Richton, Bruinsburg, and Stratton Ridge sites involve potential construction of crude oil or product pipelines in floodplains and/or wetlands. *Brine Pipelines.* The candidate Big Hill and Bayou Choctaw expansion sites and the new candidate Chacahoula, Richton, Bruinsburg, and Stratton Ridge sites involve potential construction of brine pipelines in floodplains and/or wetlands. Issued in Washington, DC, on March 21, 2006. Mark J. Matarrese, NEPA Compliance Officer, Office of Fossil Energy. [FR Doc. E6-4492 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC06-505-000; FERC-505] Commission Information Collection Activities, Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension March 21, 2006. AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described below. DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due May 21, 2006. ADDRESSES: Copies of sample filings of the proposed collection of information can be obtained from the Commission's Web site ( *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp* ) or from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Attn: Michael Miller, Office of the Executive Director, ED-34, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments may be filed either in paper format or electronically. Those parties filing electronically do not need to make a paper filing. For paper filing, the original and 14 copies of such comments should be submitted to the Secretary of the Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426 and refer to Docket No. IC06-505-000. Documents filed electronically via the Internet must be prepared in WordPerfect, MS Word, Portable Document Format, or ASCII format. To file the document, access the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* and click on “Make an E-filing,” and then follow the instructions for each screen. First time users will have to establish a user name and password. The Commission will send an automatic acknowledgement to the sender's e-mail address upon receipt of comments. All comments may be viewed, printed or downloaded remotely via the Internet through FERC's homepage using the eLibrary link. For user assistance, contact *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at

(866)208-3676, or for TTY, contact

(202)502-8659. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Miller may be reached by telephone at

(202)502-8415, by fax at

(202)273-0873, and by e-mail at *michael.miller@ferc.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collected under the requirements of FERC-505 “Application for License for Water Projects with less than 5MW capacity” (OMB No. 1902-0115) is used by the Commission to implement the statutory provisions of Part I of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C. sections 791a *et seq.* & 3301-3432, as amended by the Electric Consumers Protections Act

(ECPA)(Pub. L. 99-495, 100 Stat. 1234 (1986). The FPA as amended by ECPA provides the Commission with the responsibility of issuing licenses for nonfederal hydroelectric power plants, plus requiring the Commission in its licensing activities to give equal consideration to preserving environmental quality. ECPA also amended sections 10(a) and 10(j) of the FPA to specify the conditions on which hydropower licenses are issued, to direct that the project be adopted in accordance with a comprehensive plan that improves waterways for interstate/foreign commerce and for the protection, enhancement and mitigation of damages to fish and wildlife. Submission of the information is necessary to fulfill the requirements of Sections 9 and 10(a) of the Act in order for the Commission to make the required finding that the proposal is economically, technically, and environmentally sound, and is best adapted to the comprehensive plan of development of the water resources of the region. Under section 405(c) of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, the Commission may in its discretion (by rule or order) grant an exemption in whole or in part from the requirements of Part I of the FPA to small hydroelectric power projects having a proposed installed capacity of 5,000 kilowatts or less. The information collected under designation FERC-505 is in the form of a written application for a license and is used by Commission staff to determine the broad impact of the license application. In Order No. 2002 (68 FR 51070, August 25, 2003; FERC Statutes and Regulations ¶ 31,150 at p. 30,688) the Commission revised in regulations to create a new licensing process in which a potential license applicant's pre-filing consultation and the Commission's scoping pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA)are conducted concurrently rather than sequentially. The Commission estimated that if an applicant chooses to use the new licensing process, this could result in a reduction of 30% from the traditional licensing process. The reporting burden related to Order No. 2002 would on average be 7,000 hours per respondent as opposed to 10,000 hours per respondent in the traditional licensing process and 8,600 hours in the alternative licensing process. It has been nearly three years since Order No. 2002 was issued and applicants have experienced the opportunity to gain the benefits from the revised licensing process. In particular, applicants have benefited from

(a)increased public participation in pre-filing consultation;

(b)increased assistance from Commission staff to the potential applicant and stakeholders during the development of a license application;

(c)development by the potential applicant of a Commission-approved study plan;

(d)elimination of the need for post-application study requests;

(e)issuance of public schedules and enforcement of deadlines,

(f)better coordination between the Commission's processes, including the NEPA document preparation, and those of Federal and state agencies and Indian tribes with authority to require conditions for Commission-issued licenses. It is for these reasons, that the Commission will use the estimates projected in the table below. The information collected is needed to evaluate the license application pursuant to the comprehensive development standard of FPA sections 4(e) and 10(a)(1), to consider the comprehensive development analysis certain factors with respect to new license set forth in section 15, and to comply with NEPA, Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 531 *et seq.* ) and the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 *et seq.* ). Commission staff conducts a systematic review of the prepared application with supplemental documentation provided by the solicitation of comments from other agencies and the public. The Commission implements these filing requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR)under 18 CFR 4.61; 4.71; 4.93; 4.107; 4.108; 4.201; 4.202, 292.203 and 292.208. *Action:* The Commission is requesting a three-year extension of the current expiration date, with no changes to the existing collection of data. *Burden Statement:* Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated as: Number of respondents annually

(1)Number of responses per respondent

(2)Average burden hours per response

(3)Total annual burden hours (1)×(2)×(3) 5 1 6,959* 34,795 * Rounded off. Estimated cost burden to respondents is $ 8,675,000. ($1,500,000 (traditional process) + $2,975,000 (alternative process) + $4,200,000 (integrated process). These costs were determined by the percentage of applicants that would be using each of these processes. Annualized costs per project $500,000 (traditional); $425,000 (alternative licensing), and $350,000 (integrated licensing). The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide the information including:

(1)Reviewing instructions;

(2)developing, acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, verifying, processing, maintaining, disclosing and providing information;

(3)adjusting the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements;

(4)training personnel to respond to a collection of information;

(5)searching data sources;

(6)completing and reviewing the collection of information; and

(7)transmitting, or otherwise disclosing the information. The estimate of cost for respondents is based upon salaries for professional and clerical support, as well as direct and indirect overhead costs. Direct costs include all costs directly attributable to providing this information, such as administrative costs and the cost for information technology. Indirect or overhead costs are costs incurred by an organization in support of its mission. These costs apply to activities, which benefit the whole organization rather than any one particular function or activity. Comments are invited on:

(1)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology *e.g.* permitting electronic submission of responses. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4460 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP06-93-000] ANR Pipeline Company; Notice of Application March 21, 2006. Take notice that on March 15, 2006, ANR Pipeline Company

(ANR)filed an application pursuant to section 7 of the Natural Gas Act

(NGA)for authorization to abandon three injection/withdrawal wells, Frackelton-Sherwood 21, Lincoln 109, and Lincoln 123, located in the Lincoln-Freeman Storage Field in Clare County, Michigan, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. This filing may also be viewed on the Web at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, call

(866)208-3676 or TTY,

(202)502-8659. Any questions concerning this application may be directed to Dawn McGuire, Counsel, ANR Pipeline Company, 1001 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002 at

(713)420-5503. There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, before the comment date of this notice, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 11, 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4458 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP99-301-139] ANR Pipeline Company; Notice of Negotiated Rate Filing March 21, 2006. Take notice that on March 17, 2006, ANR Pipeline Company

(ANR)tendered for filing and approval ten amendments to existing negotiated rate service agreements between ANR and Wisconsin Gas LLC and fourteen amendments to existing negotiated rate service agreements between ANR and Wisconsin Electric Power Company. ANR requests that the Commission accept and approve the subject negotiated rate agreement amendments to be effective April 1, 2006. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4470 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP00-305-025] CenterPoint Energy—Mississippi River Transmission Corporation; Notice of Filing March 21, 2006. Take notice that on March 17, 2006, CenterPoint Energy—Mississippi River Transmission Corporation

(MRT)tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Third Revised Vol. No. 1, Second Revised Sheet No. 10D, to be effective March 31, 2006. CEGT states that the purpose of this filing is to revise the tariff sheet to reflect a change in Customer name due to a permitted assignment. The change reflects the sale of assets from Aquila Merchant Services, Inc., formerly known as Aquila Energy Marketing Corporation, to Union Electric Company, d/b/a AmerenUE. Any person desiring to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rule 211 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211). Protests to this filing will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Such protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing a protest must serve a copy of that document on all the parties to the proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4466 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP96-190-028] Colorado Interstate Gas Company; Notice of Negotiated Rates March 21, 2006. Take notice that on March 17, 2006, Colorado Interstate Gas Company

(CIG)tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Second Revised Volume No. 1, the following tariff sheet, to become effective April 17, 2006: Second Revised Sheet No. 11B Second Revised Sheet No. 11C Second Revised Sheet No. 11D Third Revised Sheet No. 11H Third Revised Sheet No. 11J First Revised Sheet No. 11M First Revised Sheet No. 11N Second Revised Sheet No. 11O Second Revised Sheet No. 11P First Revised Sheet No. 11Q CIG states that copies of its filing have been served to all firm customers, interruptible customers and affected state commissions. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4468 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP06-194-001] Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation; Notice of Compliance Filing March 21, 2006. Take notice that on March 16, 2006, Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation (Columbia) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Second Revised Volume No. 1, Fourth Revised Sheet No. 167 and Fourth Revised Sheet No. 168, with a proposed effective date of February 1, 2006. Columbia states that the filing is being made in compliance with the Commission's Letter Order issued on March 1, 2006. Any person desiring to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rule 211 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211). Protests to this filing will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Such protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing a protest must serve a copy of that document on all the parties to the proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4467 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. PR03-11-004] Enbridge Pipelines (Louisiana Intrastate) LLC; Notice of Compliance Filing March 22, 2006. Take notice that on February 28, 2006, Enbridge Pipelines (Louisiana Intrastate) LLC filed its annual revision of the fuel percentage on its system pursuant to Section 3.2 of its Statement of Operating Conditions. Louisiana Intrastate seeks an effective date of April 1, 2006. Any person desiring to participate in this rate proceeding must file a motion to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the date as indicated below. Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive email notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 3, 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4453 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL06-2-000] Entergy Services, Inc.; Notice of Institution of Proceeding and Refund Effective Date March 23, 2006. On October 14, 2005, the Commission issued an order that instituted a proceeding in Docket No. EL06-2-000, pursuant to section 206 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C. 824e, concerning the justness and reasonableness of Entergy Service, Inc.'s proposed reactive power rate. *Entergy Services, Inc.,* 113 FERC ¶ 61,040 (2005). The refund effective date in Docket No. EL06-2-000, established pursuant to section 206(b) of the FPA, will be the date of publication of this notice in the **Federal Register** . Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4448 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL06-58-000] FirstEnergy Corp.; Notice of Filing March 21, 2006. Take notice that on March 9, 2006, FirstEnergy Corp. submitted a petition for declaratory order requesting a finding by the Commission that the payment of dividends out of paid-in-capital by the FirstEnergy Operating Companies, subject to conditions and limitation proposed herein, will not violate section 305(a) of the Federal Power Act. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 10, 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4459 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP99-518-086] Gas Transmission Northwest Corporation; Notice of Negotiated Rate March 21, 2006. Take notice that on March 17, 2006, Gas Transmission Northwest Corporation

(GTN)tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Third Revised Volume No. 1-A, the following tariff sheets, to become effective March 18, 2006: Eighth Revised Sheet No. 24 Original Sheet No. 29A GTN states that a copy of this filing has been served on GTN's jurisdictional customers and interested state regulatory agencies. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4456 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP99-176-116] Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America; Notice of Negotiated Rates March 21, 2006. Take notice that on March 16, 2006, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (Natural) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Sixth Revised Volume No. 1, the following tariff sheets, to be effective April 15, 2006. Fifth Revised Sheet No. 26A.03 Fourth Revised Sheet No. 26A.04 Fourth Revised Sheet No. 26A.05 Natural states that copies of the filing are being mailed to all parties set out on the Commission's official service list. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4469 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP06-89-000; Docket Nos. CP06-90-000, CP06-91-000, and CP06-92-000] Northern Natural Gas Company; WTG Hugoton, LP; Notice of Applications March 22, 2006. Take notice that on March 15, 2006, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern), 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, filed in Docket No. CP06-89-000 an application pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act

(NGA)and part 157 of the Commission's Regulations, for permission and approval to abandon by sale various natural gas pipeline facilities, referred to as the West Hugoton facilities, located in various Kansas and Oklahoma counties, to WTG Hugoton, LP (WTG), 211 North Colorado, Midland Texas 79701. On the same date, WTG filed an application, in Docket No. CP06-90-000, pursuant to section 7(c) of the NGA and Part 157 of the Commission's regulations requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity to acquire, own, and operate the West Hugoton facilities. WTG also requests, in Docket Nos. CP06-91-000 and CP06-92-000, respectively, issuance of a blanket certificates pursuant to subpart F of part 157 and subpart G of part 284 of the Commission's regulations. Northern's and WTG's applications are on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. These filings may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link, select “Docket #” and follow the instructions (call 202-502-8222 or for TTY, 202-502-8659). Specifically, Northern proposes to abandon by sale to WTG approximately 264 miles of 3-inch to 26-inch diameter pipeline and related compression, delivery and receipt points and appurtenant facilities in Morton, Stevens, Grant, Kearny, Finney, Seward, and Haskell Counties in Kansas, and Texas County in Oklahoma for a price of approximately $24 million. Northern also proposes to establish a new Rate Schedule CS-1 to provide stand-alone compression service, at an incremental rate, that is needed for WTG to continue to make deliveries on the Liberal Lateral portion of the West Hugoton facilities in accordance with the terms of Northern's existing firm service agreements. Neither Northern nor WTG are requesting authorization to construct or remove any facilities. Upon certification, WTG will be a new, open access interstate pipeline company. WTG states that it will continue to provide firm and interruptible service to all shippers currently served by Northern through the West Hugoton facilities. WTG requests issuance of an order by September 30, 2006. Any questions regarding this application should be directed to Michael T. Loeffler, Director, Certificates for Northern, 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, at

(402)398-7103, or Richard Hatchet at 211 North Colorado, Midland, Texas 79701, at (432)682-4349 or by fax at (432)682-4024 or by e-mail to *rhatchett@westtexasgas.com.* There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date stated below, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest. Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commenters will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. Environmental commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commentors will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission's final order. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)

(iii)and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 12, 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4454 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP06-88-000] Texas Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Application March 21, 2006. Take notice that on March 13, 2006, Texas Gas Transmission, LLC (Texas Gas) filed an application pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), for authorization to abandon, by sale to Hydro Gulf of Mexico, L.L.C., certain supply lateral facilities and appurtenances consisting of approximately 12.4 miles of 16-inch pipeline located in the West Cameron area, offshore Louisiana. Texas Gas requests a Commission determination that following abandonment, the facilities will be non-jurisdictional gathering facilities pursuant to section 1(b) of the NGA, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. This filing is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll free at

(866)208-3676, or for TTY, contact

(202)502-8659. Any initial questions regarding this application should be directed to Kathy D. Fort, Manager of Certificates and Tariffs, Texas Gas Transmission, LLC, P.O. Box 20008, Owensboro, Kentucky 42304 at

(270)688-6825, or by fax at

(270)688-5871. There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date stated below, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project, or in support of or in opposition to this project, should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commentor will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. Environmental commentors will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the applicant. However, the non-party commentors will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission's final order. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests, and interventions via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site ( *http://www.ferc.gov* ) under the “e-Filing” link. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 11, 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4457 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL06-61-000] Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., Complainant v. Southwest Power Pool, Inc., Respondent; Notice of Complaint March 22, 2006. Take notice that on March 21, 2006, Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Associated Electric) filed a Complaint against Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP), pursuant to section 206 of the Federal Power Act, alleging that SPP violated its OATT by impermissibly granting a request by American Electric Power Service Corporation, as agent for the subsidiaries of the American Electric Power Company, Inc. d/b/a/ AEPM, for 250 megawatts of long-term firm point-to-point transmission service from the Union Electric Company d/b/a AmerenUE system to the Central and South West Services, Inc. system without determining whether there was Available Flowgate Capacity on the SPP transmission system and neighboring transmission system. Associated Electric certifies that copies of the complaint were served on the contacts for SPP as well as AEPM as listed on the Commission's Corporate Officials List. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. The Respondent's answer and all interventions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. The Respondent's answer, motions to intervene, and protests must be served on the Complainants. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 10, 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4450 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #1 March 21, 2006. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: *Docket Numbers: ER06-499-001.* *Applicants:* PJM Interconnection L.L.C. *Description: PJM Interconnection, LLC submits an amendment to its 1/18/06 filing of revisions to the PJM Open Access Transmission Tariff.* *Filed Date:* 03/14/2006. *Accession Number: 20060317-0284.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 4, 2006. *Docket Numbers: ER06-542-001.* *Applicants:* Wisconsin Electric Power Company. *Description: Wisconsin Electric Power Co amends its 1/25/06 filing to reflect subsequent change in the Commission's regulations.* *Filed Date:* 03/14/2006. *Accession Number: 20060317-0285.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 4, 2006. *Docket Numbers: ER06-700-001.* *Applicants:* California Independent System Operator Corporation *Description:* California Independent System Operator Corp submits clarifications and corrections to their March 2006 Credit Policy Amendments. *Filed Date:* 03/14/2006. *Accession Number: 20060317-0273.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 4, 2006. *Docket Numbers: ER06-726-000.* *Applicants:* Madison Windpower, LLC. *Description:* Madison Windpower LLC petitions the Commission for order accepting market-based rate schedule for filing and granting waivers and blanket approvals. *Filed Date:* 03/14/2006. *Accession Number: 20060317-0274.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 4, 2006. *Docket Numbers: ER06-727-000.* *Applicants:* Southwest Power Pool, Inc. *Description:* Southwest Power Pool Inc submits an unexecuted service agreement for Point-to-Point Transmission Service with Calpine Energy Services LP, effective 2/15/06. *Filed Date:* 03/14/2006. *Accession Number: 20060317-0275.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 4, 2006. *Docket Numbers: ER06-728-000.* *Applicants:* Mirant Potrero LLC. *Description:* Mirant Potrero LLC submits revisions to its must Must-Run Service Agreement with the California Independent System Operator Corp. *Filed Date:* 03/14/2006. *Accession Number: 20060317-0276.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 4, 2006. *Docket Numbers: ER06-729-000.* *Applicants:* Southwest Power Pool, Inc. *Description:* Southwest Power Pool, Inc submits revisions to its Open Access Transmission Tariff. *Filed Date:* 03/14/2006. *Accession Number: 20060317-0277.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 4, 2006. *Docket Numbers: ER06-730-000.* *Applicants:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. *Description:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator Inc submits proposed revisions to its Open Access Transmission and Energy Markets Tariff, FERC Electric Tariff, Third Revised Volume. *Filed Date:* 03/14/2006. *Accession Number: 20060317-0278.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 4, 2006. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. It is not necessary to separately intervene again in a subdocket related to a compliance filing if you have previously intervened in the same docket. Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. In reference to filings initiating a new proceeding, interventions or protests submitted on or before the comment deadline need not be served on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at *http://www.ferc.gov.* To facilitate electronic service, persons with Internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St. NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filings in the above proceedings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an eSubscription link on the web site that enables subscribers to receive email notification when a document is added to a subscribed dockets(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.* or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4455 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP06-34-000] Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Leidy to Long Island Expansion Project March 21, 2006. The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment

(EA)on the natural gas pipeline facilities proposed by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco) in the above-referenced docket. The EA was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The staff concludes that approval of the proposed project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The EA assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of three 42-inch-diameter pipeline loops totaling 13.4 miles (two in Pennsylvania and one in New Jersey); replacement of 1.7 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline (consisting of five separate sections) in New Jersey; a new compressor station in New Jersey; and uprate of a portion of Transco's Lower New York Bay Mainline C pipeline in New Jersey and Transco's Lower New York Bay Extension in New Jersey and New York. Transco states that the purpose of the project would be to provide 100 million cubic feet per day of primary firm capacity to KeySpan Energy Delivery (KeySpan). The project is fully subscribed by KeySpan with a primary term of 20 years to deliver the proposed volumes at KeySpan's existing Long Beach Meter Facilities. KeySpan anticipates a 2.5 to 3.0 percent annual growth rate in the demand of their firm gas customers and their subscription to the project would help meet the growing demand for natural gas within KeySpan's service territory in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York, and the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. The EA has been placed in the public files of the FERC. A limited number of copies of the EA are available for distribution and public inspection at: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426,

(202)502-8371. Copies of the EA have been mailed to Federal, State, and local agencies; public interest groups; individuals who have requested the EA; libraries; newspapers; and parties to this proceeding. Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. To ensure consideration prior to a Commission decision on the proposal, it is important that we receive your comments before the date specified below. Please carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your comments are received in time and properly recorded: • Send an original and two copies of your comments to: Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426; • Label one copy of the comments for the attention of the Gas Branch 3, PJ11.3; • Reference Docket No. CP06-34-000; and • Mail your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC, on or before April 20, 2006. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing of any comments or interventions or protests to this proceeding. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* under the “e-Filing” link and the link to the User's Guide. Before you can file comments you will need to create a free account which can be created by clicking on “Sign-up.” Comments will be considered by the Commission but will not serve to make the commentor a party to the proceeding. Any person seeking to become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). 1 Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision. 1 Interventions may also be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See the previous discussion on filing comments electronically. Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor status to have your comments considered. Additional information about the project is available from the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC or on the FERC Internet Web site ( *http://www.ferc.gov* ) using the eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on “General Search” and enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at *FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, contact

(202)502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with notification of these filings, document summaries and direct links to the documents. Go to *http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm* . Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4471 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project Nos. 2978-005, 2979-006, and 2980-007—Michigan] Traverse City Light & Power; Notice of Availability of Environment Assessment March 21, 2006. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's regulations, the Office of Energy Projects has reviewed the application requesting the Commission's authorization to surrender the license for the Brown Bridge Project (FERC Project No. 2978) and exemptions for the Boardman Dam Project (FERC Project No. 2979) and the Sabin Dam Project (FERC Project No. 2980). These projects are located on the Boardman River in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. An environmental assessment

(EA)has been prepared. In the EA, the Commission's staff concludes that approval of the subject surrender of license and exemptions would not produce any significant adverse environmental impacts, consequently the proposal would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. A copy of the EA is attached to a Commission order titled “Order Approving Conditional Surrender of License and Exemptions”, issued March 17, 2006, and is available at the Commission's Public Reference Room. A copy of the EA may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “elibrary” link. Enter the docket numbers (P-2978, or P-2979 or P-2980) in the docket field to access the document. For assistance, call

(202)502-8222 or

(202)502-8659 (for TTY). Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4465 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2114-116 Washington] Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, WA; Notice of Intent To Hold Public Meetings March 22, 2006. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) regulations, 18 CFR part 380 (Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897), the Office of Energy Projects has reviewed the application for a new license for the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project No. 2114-116, located on the mid-Columbia River, near the city of Ellensburg, in portions of Grant, Yakima, Kittitas, Douglas, Benton, and Chelan Counties, Washington, and issued a draft Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS)for the project on February 28, 2006. Copies of the draft EIS are available for review at the Commission's Public Reference Branch, Room 2A, located at 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426 or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* under the e-Library link by entering the docket number, P-2114, in the e-Library docket number field. For assistance, e-mail FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or call toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,

(202)502-8659. You are invited to attend either one or both of two public meetings that will be held to receive comments on the draft EIS. The time and location of the meetings are as follows: *Date:* April 19, 2006. *Time:* 2:30 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9:30 p.m. (PST). *Place:* Moses Lake Convention Center. *Address:* 1475 Nelson Rd., NE., Moses Lake, WA 98837. At these meetings, resource agency personnel and other interested persons will have the opportunity to provide oral and written comments and recommendations regarding the draft EIS. The meetings will be recorded by a court reporter, and all statements (verbal and written) will become part of the Commission's public record for the project. These meetings are posted on the Commission's calendar located at *http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx* along with other related information. Whether or not you attend one of these meetings, you are invited to submit written comments on the draft EIS. Comments should be filed with Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. All comments must be filed by May 2, 2006, and should reference Project No. 2114-116. Comments may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and instructions on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* under the “e-Library” link. The Commission staff will consider comments made on the draft EIS in preparing a final EIS for the project. Before the Commission makes a licensing decision, it will take into account all concerns relevant to the public interest. The final EIS will be part of the record from which the Commission will make its decision. For further information, contact Charles Hall at

(202)502-6853 or at *charles.hall@ferc.gov* . Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4452 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12608-000] Alternatives Unlimited, Inc.; Notice of Application Ready for Environmental Analysis, and Soliciting Comments, Terms and Conditions, Recommendations, and Prescriptions March 21, 2006. Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection. a. *Type of Application:* Exemption from Licensing. b. *Project No.:* 12608-000. c. *Date filed:* August 15, 2005. d. *Applicant:* Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. e. *Name of Project:* Alternatives Hydro Power Project. f. *Location:* On the Mumford River, in the Town of Northbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts. The project would not use Federal land. g. *Filed Pursuant to:* Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, 16 U.S.C. 2705 and 2708. h. *Applicant Contact:* Kathleen D. Hervol. Beals and Thomas, Inc. Reservoir Corporate Center, 144 Turnpike Road (Route 9), Southborough, MA 01772-2104,

(508)366-0560. i. *FERC Contact:* Stefanie Harris,

(202)502-6653 or *stefanie.harris@ferc.gov* . j. Deadline for filing comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions is May 22, 2006; reply comments are due 105 days from the date of this notice. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person whose name appears on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. Comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site ( *http://www.ferc.gov* ) under the “eFiling” link. k. This application has been accepted and is now ready for environmental analysis at this time. l. *Description of Project:* The Alternatives Hydro Power Project would consist of:

(1)The existing 127-foot-long by 15.5-foot-high Ring Shop Dam consisting of a concrete 9.5-foot-high spillway topped with 2.5-foot-high flashboards, a waste gate, and two inlet structures located at the north and south ends of the spillway;

(2)an existing 1.3-acre reservoir enlarged to 2 acres with a normal full pond elevation of 285.1 feet above mean sea level;

(3)a restored 8-foot-wide head gated intake structure;

(4)a new 23-foot by 6-foot metal service platform (to be enclosed for a future powerhouse) located at the south side of the dam containing three generating units with a total installed capacity of 45 kilowatts; and

(5)appurtenant facilities. The restored project would have an average annual generation of 340 megawatt-hours. m. A copy of the application is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,

(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h. above. All filings must:

(1)Bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “REPLY COMMENTS”, “RECOMMENDATIONS,” “TERMS AND CONDITIONS,” or “PRESCRIPTIONS;”

(2)set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing responds;

(3)furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the filing; and

(4)otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, recommendations, terms and conditions or prescriptions must set forth their evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 4.34(b). Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from the applicant. Each filing must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed on the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b), and 385.2010. You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. n. *Procedural schedule:* The Commission staff proposes to issue one Environmental Assessment

(EA)rather than issuing a draft and final EA. Staff intends to allow 30 days for entities to comment on the EA, and will take into consideration all comments received on the EA before final action is taken on the exemption application. The application will be processed according to the schedule, but revisions to the schedule may be made as appropriate: Action Date Notice of the availability of the EA August 2006. Ready for Commission decision on the application October 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4463 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12629-000] Corriveau Hydroelectric Project; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Motions To Intervene and Protests, Ready for Environmental Analysis, and Soliciting Comments, Terms and Conditions, Recommendations, and Prescriptions March 21, 2006. Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection. a. *Type of Application:* 5-MW Exemption. b. *Project No.:* 12629-000. c. *Date filed:* December 7, 2005. d. *Applicant:* F & B Wood Corp. e. *Name of Project:* Corriveau Hydroelectric Project. f. *Location:* On the Swift River, near the town of Mexico, Oxford County, Maine. This project does not occupy federal lands. g. *Filed Pursuant to:* Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, 16 U.S.C. 2705, 2708. h. *Applicant Contact:* Mr. James D. Sysko, Small Hydro East, 524 Jim's Drive, Newry, Maine 04261.

(207)824-3244. i. *FERC Contact:* Michael Spencer,

(202)502-6093, *encer@ferc.gov* . j. *Deadline for filing motions to intervene and protests, comments, terms and conditions, recommendations, and prescriptions:* 19, 2006. All reply comments must be filed with the Commission within 105 days from the date of this notice. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. Motions to intervene, protests, comments, terms and conditions, recommendations, and prescriptions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site ( *http://www.ferc.gov* ) under the “e-Filing” link. k. This application has been accepted and is now ready for environmental analysis. l. *Description of Project:* The Corriveau Hydroelectric Project would consist of the following existing facilities:

(1)The 150-foot-long by 9-foot-high dam;

(2)a 2.0 acre reservoir,

(3)a 125-foot-long intake canal;

(4)a powerhouse containing three generating units with total installed generating capacity of 350 kilowatts (kW); and

(4)appurtenant facilities. The restored project would have an average annual generation of 1,306,900 kilowatt-hours. The dam and existing project facilities are owned by the applicant. m. A copy of the application is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERCO Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,

(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above. Register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. n. Any qualified applicant desiring to file a competing application must submit to the Commission, on or before the specified deadline date for the particular application, a competing development application, or a notice of intent to file such an application. Submission of a timely notice of intent allows an interested person to file the competing development application no later than 120 days after the specified deadline date for the particular application. Applications for preliminary permits will not be accepted in response to this notice. A notice of intent must specify the exact name, business address, and telephone number of the prospective applicant, and must include an unequivocal statement of intent to submit, if such an application may be filed, either a preliminary permit application or a development application (specify which type of application). A notice of intent must be served on the applicant(s) named in this public notice. Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application. All filings must

(1)Bear in all capital letters the title “PROTEST”, “MOTION TO INTERVENE”, “NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE COMPETING APPLICATION,” “COMPETING APPLICATION,” “COMMENTS,” “REPLY COMMENTS,” “RECOMMENDATIONS,” “TERMS AND CONDITIONS,” or “PRESCRIPTIONS;”

(2)set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing responds;

(3)furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person protesting or intervening; and

(4)otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, recommendations, terms and conditions or prescriptions must set forth their evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 4.34(b). Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from the applicant. A copy of any protest or motion to intervene must be served upon each representative of the applicant specified in the particular application. A copy of all other filings in reference to this application must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed in the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and 385.2010. o. *Procedural schedule:* The Commission staff proposes to issue one Environmental Assessment

(EA)rather than issuing a draft and final EA. Staff intend to allow 30 days for entities to comment on the EA, and will take into consideration all comments received on the EA before final action is taken on the exemption application. The application will be processed according to the following schedule, but revisions to the schedule may be made as appropriate: Action Date Notice availability of EA July 2006. Ready for Commission Decision on Application September 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4464 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ER02-2595, et al.] Notice of Commission Staff Attendance at Midwest ISO Advisory Committee and Annual Stakeholder Meetings March 21, 2006. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hereby gives notice that members of its staff may attend the following Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (Midwest ISO) Advisory Committee and Annual Stakeholder Meetings: • Midwest ISO Advisory Committee Meeting—April 12, 2006, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

(EST)Lakeside Conference Center, 630 West Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46032. • Midwest ISO Annual Stakeholder Meeting—April 19, 2006, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

(EST)Marriott Indianapolis North, 3645 River Crossing parkway, Indianapolis, IN 46240. 800-228-9290. For further information regarding the times and agendas of meetings, please see *http://www.midwestiso.org/calendar/index.php* or *http://www.midwestmarket.org.home.* The discussions at each of the meetings described above may address matters at issue in the following proceedings: Docket No. ER02-2595, *et al., Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* Docket No. ER04-375, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc., et al.* Docket No. ER04-458, *et al., Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* Docket Nos. ER04-691, EL04-104 and ER04-106, *et al.* , *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.,* *et al.* Docket No. ER05-6, *et al.* , *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.,* *et al.* Docket No. ER05-752, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. and PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.* Docket No. ER05-1083, *et al.* , *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.,* *et al.* Docket No. ER05-1085, *et al.* , *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* Docket No. ER05-1138, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* Docket No. ER05-1201, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* Docket No. ER05-1230, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* Docket No. EL05-103, *Northern Indiana Power Service Co.* v. *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. and PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.* Docket No. EL05-128, *Quest Energy, L.L.C.* v. *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* Docket No. ER06-18, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* Docket No. ER06-27, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.,* *et al.* Docket Nos. EC06-4 and ER06-20, *LGE Energy LLC,* *et al.* Docket No. ER06-360, *et al.* , *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.,* *et al.* Docket No. ER06-356, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* Docket No. ER06-532, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* Docket No. EL06-31, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.,* *et al.* Docket No. EL06-49, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.,* *et al.* Docket No. ER06-56, *Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.* These meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact Patrick Clarey, Office of Energy Markets and Reliability, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at

(317)249-5937 or *patrick.clarey@ferc.gov,* or Christopher Miller, Office of Energy Markets and Reliability, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at

(317)249-5936 or *christopher.miller@ferc.gov.* Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4461 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ER06-432-000] Southwest Power Pool, Inc.; Notice of Technical Conference March 22, 2006. Take notice that a technical conference will be convened on Monday, April 10, 2006, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (EST), in Conference Room 3M-3 at the offices of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The technical conference will deal with two issues related to Southwest Power Pool, Inc.'s proposed credit policy, as discussed in the Commission's February 28, 2006 Order. 1 Specifically the Commission directed Commission staff to examine SPP's proposed total debt to total capitalization and debt service coverage scores and SPP's proposed $50,000 unsecured credit floor for not-for-profit entities. 2 The Commission found that SPP's proposal may not be just and reasonable, and may be unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful. Accordingly, the Commission accepted SPP's Credit Policy for filing and suspended it to become effective on March 1, 2006, subject to refund and the outcome of a technical conference. A report on the technical conference is due to the Commission no later than May 30, 2006. 1 Southwest Power Pool, Inc., 114 FERC ¶ 61,222 (2006). 2 Id. at P 32 and 62. Attached to this notice are questions to the parties in this proceeding. Responses to these questions should be filed no later than ten days before the date of the conference. The submitted information will be discussed at the technical conference and used to supplement the record. FERC conferences are accessible under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations please send an e-mail to *accessibility@ferc.gov* or call toll free

(866)208-3372 (voice) or 202-502-8659 (TTY), or send a fax to 202-208-2106 with the required accommodations. All interested persons are permitted to attend. For further information please contact Jignasa Gadani at

(202)502-8608 or e-mail *jignasa.gadani@ferc.gov* . Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4451 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of FERC Staff Attendance at Meetings of Southwest Power Pool Regional State Committee and Board of Directors/Members Committee March 21, 2006. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hereby gives notice that members of its staff may attend the meetings of the Southwest Power Pool

(SPP)Regional State Committee and Board of Directors/Members Committee noted below. Their attendance is part of the Commission's ongoing outreach efforts. SPP Regional State Committee—April 24, 2006 (1 p.m.-5 p.m.) (CST). Renaissance Hotel & Cox Convention Center, 10 North Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, 405-228-8000. SPP Board of Directors/Members Committee—April 25, 2006 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) (CST). Renaissance Hotel & Cox Convention Center, 10 North Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, 405-228-8000. The discussions may address matters at issue in the following proceedings: Docket Nos. RT04-1 and ER04-48, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER05-109, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER05-652, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER05-799, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER05-1065, *Entergy Services, Inc.* Docket No. ER05-1285, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER05-1352, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER05-1416, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER06-15, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER06-432, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER06-448, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER06-451, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER06-641, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER06-727, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* Docket No. ER06-729, *Southwest Power Pool, Inc.* The meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact Tony Ingram, Office of Energy Markets and Reliability, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at

(501)614-4789 or *tony.ingram@ferc.gov.* Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4462 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RM98-1-000] Records Governing Off-the Record Communications; Public Notice March 22, 2006. This constitutes notice, in accordance with 18 CFR 385.2201(b), of the receipt of prohibited and exempt off-the-record communications. Order No. 607 (64 FR 51222, September 22, 1999) requires Commission decisional employees, who make or receive a prohibited or exempt off-the-record communication relevant to the merits of a contested proceeding, to deliver to the Secretary of the Commission, a copy of the communication, if written, or a summary of the substance of any oral communication. Prohibited communications are included in a public, non-decisional file associated with, but not a part of, the decisional record of the proceeding. Unless the Commission determines that the prohibited communication and any responses thereto should become a part of the decisional record, the prohibited off-the-record communication will not be considered by the Commission in reaching its decision. Parties to a proceeding may seek the opportunity to respond to any facts or contentions made in a prohibited off-the-record communication, and may request that the Commission place the prohibited communication and responses thereto in the decisional record. The Commission will grant such a request only when it determines that fairness so requires. Any person identified below as having made a prohibited off-the-record communication shall serve the document on all parties listed on the official service list for the applicable proceeding in accordance with Rule 2010, 18 CFR 385.2010. Exempt off-the-record communications are included in the decisional record of the proceeding, unless the communication was with a cooperating agency as described by 40 CFR 1501.6, made under 18 CFR 385.2201(e)(1)(v). The following is a list of off-the-record communications recently received by the Secretary of the Commission. The communications listed are grouped by docket numbers in ascending order. These filings are available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits, in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, please contact FERC, Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll free at (866)208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202)502-8659. Docket No. Date received Presenter or requester Exempt: 1. CP03-33-002 3-6-06 John R. Staffier. 2. CP04-36-000, CP04-41-000 2-24-06 Hon. Jack Reed. Hon. Patrick J. Kennedy. Hon. James R. Langevin. 3. CP05-420-000 3-15-06 Magdalene Manco. 4. CP06-12-000, CP06-13-000, CP06-14-000 3-15-06 J. D. Bjostad. 5. CP06-12-000 3-7-06 Paula Vassey. 6. CP06-54-000 3-9-06 Hon. Charles Schumer. Hon. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Hon. Timothy Bishop. 7. IS06-191-000 3-7-06 Hon. L. Scott Lingamfelter. 8. Project No. 459-128 3-6-06 Hon. Wm. Lacy Clay. 9. Project No. 459-128 3-10-06 Terry and Carol Welch. 10. Project No. 459-128 3-6-06 Hon. James M. Talent. 11. Project No. 459-128 3-15-06 Hon. James M. Talent. 12. Project No. 1971-000 3-9-06 Anthonie M.A. Holthuijzen. 13. Project No. 1971-079 3-15-06 Craig Jones. 14. Project Nos. 2071-013, 2111-018, 2213-011 and 935-053 3-14-06 Chris Maynard. 15. Project No. 2146-000 3-10-06 Spencer Bachus. 16. Project No. 2197-000 3-10-06 Hon. Elizabeth Dole. 17. Project No. 2984-000 3-7-06 Hon. Susan M. Collins. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-4447 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Notice of Meeting; Sunshine Act Agency Holding the Meeting: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Date and Time: Tuesday, April 4, 2006, 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Place: Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Conference Room on the Ninth Floor of the EEOC Office Building, 1801 “L” Street, NW., Washington, DC 20507. Status: The meeting will be open to the public. Matters to be Considered: Open Session: 1. Announcement of Notation Votes, and 2. Systemic Task Force Report Note: In accordance with the Sunshine Act, the meeting will be open to public observation of the Commission's deliberations and voting. (In addition to publishing notices on EEOC Commission meetings in the **Federal Register** , the Commission also provides a recorded announcement a full week in advance on future Commission sessions.) Please telephone

(202)663-7100 (voice) and

(202)663-4074

(TTY)at any time for information on these meetings. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Llewellyn, Acting Executive Officer on

(202)663-4070. Dated: March 24, 2006. Stephen Llewellyn, Acting Executive Officer, Executive Secretariat. [FR Doc. 06-3019 Filed 3-24-06; 12:23 pm]

Connectionstraces to 41

Traces to 41 documents

CFR